As wellness advisor for Ryman Hospitality Properties (RHP), Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) has spent the last three months helping protect many of the people—and institutions—that make Music City special. The Vanderbilt Health Employer Solutions Team and VUMC infectious disease experts have collaborated with the RHP team to help refine the company’s COVID-19 safety plan as it has moved through the phased reopening of its Ole Red restaurants, Gaylord Hotels network, and iconic entertainment venues such as the Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry.
The RHP team regularly partners with VUMC’s Donna Skupien, RN, director of Employer Solutions; David Aronoff, MD, Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases; and Tom Talbot, MD, MPH, Chief Hospital Epidemiologist, to review health and safety procedures and design protocols that are based on the latest COVID-19 research.
“We have worked with RHP on building a daily employee symptoms and temperature screenings process, proper signage, policy and procedure design and reviews, educational webinars and Q&As with employees,” Skupien explains. “We have even gone on location to provide hands-on advice on environmental design that affects employee and guest safety.”
The team recently went onsite to the Grand Ole Opry to discuss ways to safely conduct group tours and future concerts and protect performers and audiences, and it has provided guidance on the development of employee training and educational materials.
“Ryman Hospitality Properties has been a thoughtful partner and has done the hard work of addressing every safety precaution we’ve recommended,” Skupien says. “Some businesses may have a well-written manual but when you walk in, you don't see any difference or any safety procedures in place. That's just not the case at Ryman Hospitality Properties or in their corporate offices. They have put so much thought, effort and engagement into safety for their guests and employees and have set the bar high for other businesses."
The collaborative work of the RHP and Vanderbilt Health teams has also contributed to developing key elements of the Good to Go program, which offers enhanced safety and best practices for Nashville-area businesses in their reopening efforts. The program has given businesses access to toolkits and support to help carry out recommendations from the Metro Public Health Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vanderbilt Health’s leading infectious disease experts have also been involved with ongoing learning and information sharing.