Aurora Wins Gold Well Workplace Award for Commitment to Employee Health and Well-Being

MILWAUKEE, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- At Aurora Health Care, finding ways to keep the workforce healthy is not just for businesses that rely on the health care provider for health and wellness services. Aurora is committed to the health and well-being of its own employees, and that commitment recently was honored with a prestigious award.

The Wellness Councils of America, through its local affiliate the Wellness Council of Wisconsin, presented its Gold Well Workplace Award to Aurora Health Care. The Well Workplace designation recognizes efforts that not only improve employee health but also reduce health care expenditures. The award was achieved through the development of results-oriented wellness programs.

The designation is awarded throughout the year to employers from around the nation.

"We are pleased and honored to receive this award," said Mary Jo Capodice, D.O., medical director of Occupational Health at Aurora. "Aurora has for many years undertaken numerous initiatives to promote employee health, and we are proud to have received recognition for our efforts. More important, the results of our initiatives will be long-lasting for our employees."

Aurora's initiatives include health risk appraisals and programs on healthy eating and weight management, tobacco use and smoking cessation, stress management, physical activity and medical self-care.

Capodice said the process of participating in the Wellness Workplace program was rigorous, requiring thorough documentation of employees' efforts and their progress. Aurora must reapply for the designation after three years.

Since the award's inception in 1991, more than 1,000 organizations, ranging from educational institutions to organizations in the public and private sector, have earned the Well Workplace Award and are recognized as some of America's Healthiest Companies.

"In a time when the health of our nation's workers is not what it should be, and health care costs consistently reflect this trend, the Well Workplace initiative provides employers with a powerful approach to stemming the tide of increasing costs," said David Hunnicutt, president of Wellness Councils of America.

The Wellness Council was founded in 1985 by the Wisconsin business community. Membership has grown from nine founding companies to more than 440 organizations representing 450,000 employees. With more than 2,500 member organizations located throughout North America, the organization is highly regarded for its innovative and results-oriented approach to worksite wellness.

Aurora Health Care is a not-for-profit Wisconsin health care provider and a nationally recognized leader in efforts to improve the quality of health care. Aurora offers services at sites in more than 90 communities throughout eastern Wisconsin.