CaroMont Health is celebrating another banner year for its commitment to
employee health and wellness. For the fourth year in a row, Prevention
Partners has awarded CaroMont Health with the Excellence Recognition distinction
for reaching the highest standards in workplace health and prevention.
CaroMont Health sustained this recognition by earning straight As in the
four modules of WorkHealthy America, a Prevention Partners initiative
addressing tobacco use, physical activity, nutrition and the overall culture
around health and wellness. The Excellence Recognition honors CaroMont
Health’s commitment to employee health as demonstrated by its policies,
programs and benefits to support employee health, optimize employee productivity
and integrate wellness into daily operations.
“When we embarked on our journey to become a healthier workplace
four years ago, we knew it would require a lot of time and commitment,”
said Andrea Serra, Vice President of Community Care Services at CaroMont
Health. “Today, we are seeing the fruits of our labor. Not only
are our employees experiencing an improvement in their health and quality
of life, but their families are also embracing this new lifestyle and
making healthy eating, exercise and overall wellness a priority in their
lives. By providing the right tools and communication and making it enjoyable,
we have created a culture of wellness.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has acknowledged the
WorkHealthy America Excellence standard as one of highest achievements
in building a healthy workplace.
Janet Collins, Director, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity,
with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, “The CDC
is truly honored to be a strong partner with Prevention Partners. The
work that you do is outstanding; it’s science-based and also incredibly
practical. As we’re trying to make progress in hospital and school
environments, you’ve worked through the barriers that come up naturally
and shown that it can be done. You are the experts in taking prevention
from the hypothetical to the very practical — and succeeding.”
“CaroMont Health sets a high bar in establishing and sustaining a
workplace where employees can make healthy choices,” says Meg Molloy,
President and CEO of Prevention Partners. “I applaud this great
effort and the commitment of CaroMont Health’s leadership to create
a culture of wellness.”
CaroMont has several programs in place to help cultivate a working environment
that encourages employee engagement including, a six-month wellness program
comprised of personalized health coaching, physical activity opportunities,
and interactive group activities related to stress management, nutrition
and physical movement. Examples of group activities include: a grocery
store tour, yoga class, hike and healthy cooking class. Lunch and learns
also have proven to be a successful engagement tool with employees. CaroMont
offers monthly educational presentations over lunch featuring topics such
as, Flexing Your Financial Muscles and Decoding the Food Label.
Other employee wellness services offered to employees are Healthy Back,
a month-long program that teaches corrective movements and exercises to
strengthen the back and stabilize the core. New this year is Spring in
Your Step, a six-week walking program designed to get most people, regardless
of their physical activity level, walking a full 5k. With 150 participants,
the walking program is being offered to employees just in time for the
third annual CaroMont Community Challenge on Saturday, May 14, a 5k and
one-mile fun walk, at Stuart W. Cramer High School in Belmont.
“Research shows that healthier employees are happier, engaged and
more productive,” said Serra. “Simply offering a wellness
program—no matter how well intentioned—does not guarantee
success. It’s up to the individual to take advantage of the tools
and resources available. By creating a healthy work environment for employees,
we are supporting their quest to make healthier choices that can lead
to an overall enhanced quality of life and well-being.”