North Country Hospital receives Worksite Wellness Award

Members of North Country Hospital’s Worksite Wellness Team were presented with a Gold Worksite Wellness Award from the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports in conjunction with the VT Department of Health at a ceremony on March 27 in Burlington. North Country is one of 91 Vermont worksites that applied for this honor. The award honors worksites for providing a culture of wellness for employees that includes innovative strategies promoting health and fitness.
Dr. Harry Chen, VT Commissioner of Health (left) and Governor Peter Shumlin present a Gold Worksite Wellness Award to Mary Hoadley, North Country Hospital Wellness Center Manager (second from left) and Joanne Fedele, RN, North Country Community Health at the VT Worksite Wellness Conference in Burlington on March 27, 2014. The award was presented on behalf of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Photo courtesy of North Country Hospital.
The application process, which is both competitive and comprehensive, includes the key areas of Vision and Mission, Leadership, Culture, Policy and Environment, Strategy and Implementation, and Evaluation. More specifically, worksites applying for an award must clearly and concisely document their wellness strategies – for example, opportunities for employees to participate in fitness activities, availability of healthy foods, resources for stress reduction and Employee Assistance Programs, promotion of volunteerism and community service, on-site recycling, and opportunities to make lifestyle changes.
The awards were presented by Governor Peter Shumlin and Dr. Harry Chen, Commissioner of Health.
“I’m proud to present awards to so many Vermont employers who have made healthy behaviors a priority,” Shumlin said. “Clearly, Vermont companies understand that a fit workforce leads to a stronger community and a robust state.”
Dr. Chen agreed, stating “Evidence reveals many health and economic benefits of worksite wellness. Employers that support behaviors like healthy eating, physical activity, quitting tobacco and health screenings improve employee health, enhance productivity and contribute to healthier families and communities.”
Dr. Chen further added that “Today we celebrate our collective efforts to keep Vermonters among the healthiest of Americans.”
North Country employs over 500 people, many of whom participate in health and fitness opportunities offered by its Wellness Center, which also serves community members. For more information about North Country’s Wellness Center contact Mary Hoadley at 334-5566. For more information about how North Country can assist in your employee health fairs, contact Joanne Fedele, RN, North Country Hospital Community Health at 334-3208.
Source: North Country Hospital, April 8, 2014