Workplace Wellness Leadership Symposium to Focus on the Successful Execution of Wellness Programs

Keynote speaker Dr. Joe Leutzinger will explain to Maine business leaders how healthy employees can result in higher profits.

AUBURN, Maine - Businesses from across the state of Maine will gather at the second-annual Workplace Wellness Leadership Symposium in September to learn more about building worksite programs that are proven to improve employee moral and productivity, reduce absenteeism, decrease health care costs and moderate ever-increasing insurance premiums.

Dr. Joseph Leutzinger, President of the Academy for Health and Productivity Management and founder of Health Improvement Solutions, is the featured keynote speaker at the symposium, which is scheduled for Sept. 23rd at the Hilton Garden Inn Riverwatch in Auburn.

Leutzinger's presentation is titled "The Health and Productivity Connection: Program Justification Beyond Health Care Claims." He has written extensively about workplace wellness and has lectured on the topic across the United States and abroad.

"We're excited to have a nationally known expert on workplace wellness come to Maine and show businesses how they can build their bottom lines while helping improve quality of life for their employees," said Jaime Laliberte, executive director of the Wellness Council of Maine (WLCME). WLCME, a licensed partner of the Wellness Council of America, is presenting the symposium along with major sponsors EMHS and Mercer.

This 2nd annual state-wide symposium, which pulled in 200 business leaders in 2009, will also feature speakers from Maine's business and healthcare industries to share their experience and knowledge. In addition to Dr. Leutzinger's presentation, the morning session will feature speakers from the National Worksite Benefit Group, GEI Consultants and MaineHealth.

Topics will center on encouragement of a healthier workforce through benefits design, occupational hygiene and the proper and effective use of incentives for wellness programming.

The afternoon offers two breakout sessions. The first will allow participants to choose between three business case studies from companies of various sizes. The second session helps attendees put evidence into practice; highlighting research and trends in the areas of medical self-care, tobacco cessation and depression in the workplace, and offering strategies for making positive changes in these areas.

"I am thrilled that we have this platform to reach out to organizations in Maine that are looking for assistance and encouragement regarding their workplace wellness efforts," said Laliberte. "Workplace health promotion is becoming increasingly essential to control health care expense and to elevate employee productivity. With today's economic climate, results-oriented wellness programs are a critical business strategy that provides a competitive edge for the companies that implement them."

The Wellness Council of Maine is a program of the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce and a licensed partner of the Wellness Council of America, one of the nation's most trusted voices on workplace wellness. WLCME provides resources, leadership, guidance and support for businesses across Maine to develop and enhance results-oriented workplace wellness initiatives.

150 Maine Business Leaders Attend WLCME’s Well Workplace Celebration in Augusta

The newest additions to the list of America’s Healthiest Companies were recognized at the Wellness Council of Maine’s Well Workplace Awards Celebration Dinner on May 25 at the Senator Inn in Augusta. Co-sponsors Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine and Eastern Maine Medical Center were key supporters in bringing the annual banquet to the State Capital for the first time in WLCME’s seven year history. Keynote speaker Frank Johnson, Executive Director, Office of Employee Health & Benefits for the State of Maine was introduced by Dana Connors, President of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and kicked off the theme of the night: Collaboration. In all, thirteen Maine companies were awarded for their success in building results-oriented Well Workplaces.

WLCME members have access to the Wellness Council of America’s (WELCOA) nationally renowned awards program, which recognizes organizations that have built successful results-oriented wellness programs, as defined by WELCOA’s benchmarks and including a rigorous set of criteria. Over 1,000 corporations, healthcare systems, public agencies, and educational institutions in the U.S. have met those criteria and been recognized as some of America’s healthiest companies.

The companies receiving awards this year have a lot to be proud of. They have clearly demonstrated innovation, leadership, and success in the realm of workplace health promotion. This is more than just an award – it is proof that these companies have established a results-oriented worksite wellness program -- successfully aligning company needs and business strategy with the interests and desired health outcomes of their employees.

Congratulations to this year’s winners! You are setting the standard high for other employers in Maine!

 

SMALL BUSINESS: Recognizes organizations with under 50 employees that have taken specific steps to structure a results-oriented wellness program that complements their worksite setting. 
Northeastern Log Homes   

GOLD: Recognizes organizations developing comprehensive programs producing results. These programs are a strategic and integral part of the business.
Affiliated Healthcare Systems
Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital
EMHS Home Office
Inland Hospital
Maine Department of Transportation
MSAD #22
Sargent Corporation
Sebasticook Valley Hospital
The Aroostook Medical Center
The Jackson Laboratory

PLATINUM: Represents the pinnacle of results-oriented worksite wellness programming. The Platinum Award is granted to organizations forging new ground by linking health promotion objectives to business outcomes. 
Eastern Maine Medical Center
Occupational Medical Consulting, LLC  

 

  

2009-2010 IRV MARSTERS WELLNESS CHAMPION LEADERSHIP AWARDS
generously sponsored by:
   

The Irv Marsters Wellness Champion Leadership Awards are given to an individual and company that encourage or demonstrate leadership qualities in health promotion and wellness with the purpose of elevating awareness of the benefits of health and wellness in the business community and population at large. The goal is to recognize leaders who have used their skills, knowledge and resources to benefit people and serve as examples for others to follow in advancing wellness in Maine.   

INDIVIDUAL
Laurie Jones Mitchell, MaineHealth

BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION 
Hannaford Bros.

Irv Marsters Wellness Champion Leadership Awards 2010 Call for Nominations

Irv Marsters Wellness Champion Leadership Awards:

The Wellness Council of Maine is pleased to recognize two award levels; one for an individual and one for an organization or business that promotes or demonstrates leadership qualities in health promotion and wellness.

The Purpose of the Irv Marsters Wellness Champion Leadership Awards:

• Elevate awareness of the benefits of health promotion and wellness in the business community and population at large.
• Recognize Wellness Council leaders who have used their skills, knowledge and resources to benefit people.
• Serve as an example for others to follow in advancing wellness in Maine.

Eligibility and Criteria

• An active or participating member of Wellness Council of Maine.
• Anyone may nominate a member or organization for an award.
• Nominees should demonstrate exceptional leadership that has resulted in noteworthy contributions in the advancement of health promotion and wellness within the business community that supports the common good.

Nomination Process

Fill out the nomination form and describe in 250 words or less, on your company letterhead, the reasons why you feel the individual or organization best represents the spirit of the Wellness Champion Leadership Awards (detailed description is on the form).

Completed forms & narratives may be submitted via mail, fax, or email by April 26th to:
Wellness Council of Maine office at Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce
519 Main Street
Bangor, ME 04401
Fax: (207) 990-1427
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Southern Maine Employers Achieve Workplace Health Promotion Certification

Portland, Maine ~ Twenty-two participants from 19 organizations got a primer on the art and science of building world-class worksite wellness programs at a March 1 event sponsored by the Wellness Council of Maine.

The Well Workplace University, "Building and Sustaining a Results-Oriented Employee Wellness Program" took place at Maine Medical Center in Portland. It drew participants from a wide range of organizations, all with varied professional backgrounds.

Well Workplace University is an internationally recognized learning opportunity created by the Wellness Council of America where business leaders, health care professionals, and wellness practitioners come together to create and sustain worksite wellness programs. Because Well Workplace University is designed to equip participants with both the "theory behind the thinking" as well as the important "how to's," participants walk away from this training with the knowledge and skills needed to confidently design and deliver worksite wellness programs that do what they're supposed to do - produce results.

Faculty included Allison Bankston, Senior Director of Marketing and Fund Development, Penobscot Valley Hospital; Jaime Laliberte, Director, Wellness Council of Maine; Andy Spaulding, Cardiovascular Health Specialist - Worksite Initiatives, Medical Care Development.

The Wellness Council of Maine's next Well Workplace University will be held at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta on April 21.

Those interested in learning more about that event, or about creating workplace wellness programs that make for healthier employees and lower costs, should visit http://www.wellnesscouncilofmaine.org