Virginia Business Coalition on Health Wellness in the Workplace Award Winners 2006 

The VBCH 2006 Wellness in the Workplace Awards provides recognition for health promotion programs that are improving the health of employees in the Commonwealth of Virginia business community.  For the first time this year we used the Zoomerang Survey Tool for the online application process. This allowed us to streamline the application process for ease of use by employers.  The selection process is always difficult but this year’s two outstanding employers truly demonstrated the corporate commitment to their employee’ health. 
 
Award Winner: Anheuser-Busch Williamsburg Brewery - Williamsburg, Virginia
Category: Employer < 5,000 Employees

The Virginia Business Coalition on Health is pleased to recognize Williamsburg Brewery for their wellness initiatives resulting in the 2006 “Wellness in the Workplace Award” for the employer with less than 5,000 employees.  Their vision to “attain the highest possible degree of Health and Wellness for all employees and their families” is exemplified in their commitment to comprehensive programming for not only the employee but also their dependents.  Anheuser-Busch Williamsburg Brewery has a number of wellness programs.  The PCP Program encourages employees and spouses to visit their primary care physician for an annual physical.  Williamsburg has led the 12 domestic breweries 5 out of the last 6 years in this effort.  They opened an onsite Fitness Center in February 2006 staffed with a part-time fitness consultant with over 250 employees using the facility at least 2 times a week.  Employees and dependents are reimbursed for their participation in Weight Watchers and WellQuit Smoking Cessation programs and an onsite LiveWELL Weight Loss Program is offered to employees at no charge. Blood Pressure machines were purchased for the employee cafeteria and an RN and Dietician are on-site twice a month.  Health screenings and monthly lunch and learns are offered  On line Health Risk Appraisals are available and Club 120, a Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Program, is in it’s sixth year.  Anheuser-Busch also sponsors community involvement events such as the March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon and the American Heart Walk.  Accepting the award for Anheuser-Busch is Lisa Kellis.
 
Award Winner: Sentara Healthcare, Health and Preventive Services Department
Category:  Employer > 10,000 employees
 
The Virginia Business Coalition on Health proudly recognizes Sentara’s Health and Preventive Services Department, Healthy Edge program as the winner in the employer category with over 10,000 employees for the 2006 Wellness in the Workplace Award. As part of Sentara’s mission to improve health everyday, an online Health Risk Appraisal is used as the core of the program. Employees are stratified by degree of health risk and receive information and opportunities to decrease their present risks. Programs such as: Healthy Heart, a cardiovascular risk reduction program; Get Off Your Butt, a tobacco cessation program; WalkAbout with Healthy Edge, a pedometer based walking program, and Eating For Life, a healthy eating program based on the 2005 Guidelines for Americans are offered in both face to face and convenient self-paced formats. These programs are offered at no cost to the employee.  Multiple venues are serviced using health education and health promotion programs, health screenings to identify health risks, and on-site flu shots are offered at convenient times throughout the 70+ Sentara locations. A wide network of over 100 volunteer Champions help promote the programs at the Sentara sites. Accepting the award for Sentara Healthcare is Kathy Tandy, B.S.N,  a Healthy Edge Nurse. CONGRATULATIONS!