“Healthy employees are happy employees” is something we heard a lot today at the third annual Wichita Business Journal Healthiest Employers awards. The annual event by the local business publication honors 30 companies who have exceptional corporate wellness plans in place. The result? Healthy, happy employees, a stronger bottom line, and ultimately a stronger company.
Wesley Medical Center, one of the city’s leading hospitals, was recognized three times during the luncheon. First as a healthiest employer amongst large employers (companies with more than 1,000 employees), then as the category winner, and finally as the overall healthiest employer for 2024.
See all of Wichita Business Journal’s Healthiest Employers
Wesley was honored by their recognition today, and told us about their passion for the health and wellness of their employees. “Wellness is part of our overall culture at Wesley,” said Carrie Mabie, PHR who mangages the Wesley Wellness program. That’s an attitude more companies should adopt.
“The end result we’re looking for is for the companies we recognized today to share best practices and ideas to help improve their workplaces,” said John Ek, publisher at the Wichita Business Journal.
Some of those practices were shared by the thirty companies recognized today, which ranged in size and industries like municipalities, aerospace, construction, banking, technology. Kansas Health Foundation, recognized under small businesses, noted a daily 3:00 “activity recess” for employees. It’s on-the-clock time that employees are encouraged to get up, move, walk, stretch, or anything else that gets them up out of those stationary office chairs.
Transitions Group, Inc. is a three time honoree under small businesses and cites a tobacco-free campus as one of its wellness implementations. CGF, under medium-sized employers, does on-site flu shots for its staff.
“Our employee wellness fairs, lunch-n-learns, health screenings, and Biggest Loser challenge are just a few of the many ways Wesley supports employees on their wellness path,” said Mabie.
Wesley, the overall winner of the healthiest employer designation, hosts a Biggest Loser-style competition for its employees. The 2024 edition just kicked off with the first weigh in and has a high bar to meet after helping participants lose nearly 3,000 pounds in 2024. Last year’s event culminated with a visit from Biggest Loser season 11 at-home winner Hannah Curlee, who helped motivate and inspire Wesley employees.
“One thing that Wesley Medical Center understands, it takes an army for a lifestyle,” said Curlee, who travels the country promoting a message of wellness through her MyFitspiration.com. “My family and colleagues at Wesley Medical Center have given me the best gift of all, the inspiration to keep paying it forward. They have been creating health awareness within this community long before I was even a part of it through free healthy screenings, coaching and group activities.”
Get your company headed in a healthier direction by starting your own corporate wellness program. With HR and company leadership involved, it’s bound to be a win for every person on your payroll.
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