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News ReleasesUSM’s Employee Wellness Program Gets the Gold July 18, 2008 The University of Southern Maine has joined a select group of “America’s Healthiest Companies” after receiving a “Gold Well Workplace” designation from The Wellness Councils of America (WELCOA). WELCOA, which has 3,200 member organizations nationwide, has presented the Gold designation to just 22 members in 2008. To achieve the Gold recognition, USM received a score of 174.47 out of a possible 180, using seven criteria, among them CEO support; using data to drive health efforts; and choosing the most appropriate health promotion interventions. The USM program also was cited for its holistic approach that addresses physical as well as mental and behavioral issues. The USM Wellness Program was established in January of 2002 and incorporates such activities as walking programs, smoking cessation services, fitness evaluations, and a weekly farmer’s market. Each year the USM Wellness Program attracts some 3,000 registrants. “The members of a university’s faculty and staff are its most valuable assets,” said USM President Selma Botman, who recently received the award on behalf of USM. “The managers and participants of this program should take great pride and creating a healthier workplace environment.” “This award is a tribute to the support of campus and University of Maine System leadership and the engagement of hundreds of members of the USM community,” said USM Employee Wellness Program Manager Suzanne Roy. “Our goal is to reach even more employees, family members and retirees,” said Roy, “and connect them with programs and resources that support a healthy lifestyle.” “A growing number of Maine employers are adopting workplace wellness programs to combat rising health care costs and enhance employee health,” said Tom Downing, executive director of the USM Lifeline Center for Wellness and Health Promotion, who with Roy designed the USM program. USM Lifeline's Institute for Workplace Health Promotion offers services and resources to support the health promotion needs of employers. Downing and his staff have worked on workplace wellness programs and issues with numerous Maine employers, including Bath Iron Works (BIW), Hannaford Bros. Co. and Mercy Hospital, among many others. For Photo: Go to Photo caption: The University of Southern Maine has joined a select group of “America’s Healthiest Companies” after receiving a “Gold Well Workplace” designation from The Wellness Councisl of America (WELCOA). Here, USM Employee Wellness Program Manager Suzanne Roy, right, presents the award to USM President Selma Botman. For information about USM’s Employee Wellness Program see: http://www.usm.maine.edu/wellness/ WELCOA and its wellness program can be found at:
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