Children's Hospital and Health System Received National Wellness Award for Employee Program

Mlwaukee, Wis. (9/5/2007) - Wisconsin-based Children's Hospital and Health System (www.chw.org) has received the prestigious Gold Well Workplace Award from the Wellness Councils of America for its employee wellness initiatives.

The Well Workplace Award recognizes the health system's commitment to its employees' health and well-being. It is awarded throughout the year to employers from around the nation. Only a handful of companies each year meet the rigorous standards to achieve a Well Workplace Award. In 2006, there were just 127 national awards and only 58 at the gold level.

Children's Hospital and Health System continues to grow a wellness culture that responds to employee health risks and encourages healthy habits and lifestyles. Its wellness initiatives include a Web-based "Healthy Steps" program. It features a variety of health-focused challenges, educational opportunities and nutrition and fitness activities. Participating employees earn wellness credits and may qualify for prize drawings and cost savings on their health insurance premiums. More than 3,300 of the health system's 4,500 employees used the program in the last year. Other wellness initiatives include free health screenings for employees and their spouses, participation in and sponsorship of fitness and nutrition events and programs, and free flu vaccinations.