Ohio Department of Health honors Tri-Rivers for healthy practices

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 The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and the Healthy Ohio Business Council (HOBC) will recognize 46 Ohio employers for healthy worksite practices during the 11th annual Healthy Ohio Healthy Worksite Awards ceremony Thursday, January 29, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus. At the ceremony Tri-Rivers will receive the only gold award—the top award—in the small business category. Pemberton will present Tri-Rivers’ best practices at the event.

“The Ohio Worksite award is an opportunity for Tri-Rivers to be recognized for its continued commitment to employee health,” said Chris Pemberton, Health Services Coordinator for Tri-Rivers. “The award showcases the outstanding efforts and activities of the Tri-River Wellness Committee and the Administration’s commitment to ensuring a healthy work environment.”

“Our Wellness Committee’s goal is to constantly evaluate the effectiveness and satisfaction of programs,” said Pemberton. “I feel Tri-Rivers exemplifies a workplace striving for healthy outcomes with its continued commitment to offer outstanding wellness events. Our Administration Team fully supports the activities of the Wellness Committee and actively participates in the sponsored events.”

Some of the activities include: Weight Maintenance Challenge from November through January; Biggest Loser Group Challenge from January through March; Weekly Fitness Challenges; Healthy Snacks, Quarterly Newsletter, Summer “Move It” Challenge; as well as maintaining a workout facility, sponsoring co-ed volleyball and holding Zumba classes. Pemberton said all activities encourage permanent healthy lifestyle changes.

“Poor nutrition, inactive and sedentary lifestyles, tobacco use, and alcohol and drug use limit our potential to be productive Ohioans. This is why a comprehensive approach to preventive health and wellness at worksites is an essential part of improving both the health of Ohioans and the overall success of our state,” said Dr. Andrew Wapner, Chief of the Bureau of Healthy Ohio at ODH.

“Healthy Ohio Healthy Worksite Award winners are leading the way in this effort by making a healthy work environment a priority for their employees.” A total of 71 companies, cities and townships applied for the 2014 awards, which recognize Ohio employers who demonstrate a commitment to employee wellness through comprehensive worksite health promotion and wellness programs.

Applicants are scored on the extent their wellness programs facilitate and encourage employee health, enhance productivity and ensure a healthy work environment.

“Employee health and wellness efforts result in major benefits for both employer and employee,” Helene Szczerba, chair of HOBC said. “Positive returns on investment are realized in employees who improve their health resulting in decreased rates of absenteeism and increased productivity. Employers also realize reductions in health care costs and an overall increase in productivity and job satisfaction.”