Workplace Wellness Leadership Symposium Provides Professional Development for Leaders Around the Sta

Businesses from across the state of Maine gathered at the third annual Wellness Leadership Symposium in October.  This two day event helped professionals from around the state learn more about how to properly implement workplace wellness programs to improve employee retention, morale and productivity, reduce absenteeism, decrease health care costs, moderate insurance premiums and help to improve the health of Maine’s workforce.

Dr. David Hunnicutt, President of the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA), was the featured keynote speaker at the symposium, which took place on October 13 & 14, 2011 at Sunday River Grand Summit Hotel.  Dr. Hunnicutt is one of the nation’s lead experts on employee health and results-oriented workplace wellness programs. 

“We were thrilled to have Dr. Hunnicutt speak in Maine again.  Maine businesses of all sizes have made significant strides in workplace health promotion in the last several years and Dr. Hunnicutt congratulated them on their efforts and provided helpful insights for moving forward in a sluggish economy” said Willow Sherwood, executive director of the Wellness Council of Maine, the symposium sponsor.

This 3rd annual state-wide symposium, drew 150 business leaders also featured speakers from Maine’s business and healthcare industries who shared their experience and knowledge. In addition to Dr. Hunnicutt's presentations, the symposium also featured Dr. Larry Catlett of Occupational Medical Consulting, LLC and Jim Bouchard national speaker and author.  Other speakers included representatives from MaineGeneral Health, Lohmann Animal Health, St. Joseph’s College, Chase Financial Solutions, Gold’s Gym, Medical Care Development and Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems. 

“We are proud to have such a strong network of business leaders in Maine,” said Sherwood. “Workplace health promotion is essential to the vitality of Maine’s economy.  Future economic success in Maine is tied to the health of our workforce and our ability to retain and attract great companies to our state.”