State of Iowa Recognized as Among Healthiest Employers

DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct. 12 -- The Iowa Department of Public Health issued the following news release:

The state of Iowa and eight other Iowa employers have been recognized by the Wellness Council of Iowa for excellence in worksite health promotion at the fourth annual Healthy Iowa Awards. The State of Iowa joins a growing list of America's Healthiest Companies as judged by the Wellness Council of America and the Wellness Council of Iowa. The Iowa Department of Administrative Services and Iowa Department of Public Health submitted the application for the award, and work together with private partners like Wellmark on state employee wellness activities.

Companies participate in a comprehensive application process and are measured against national standards set by the Wellness Council of America. "The Well Workplace process establishes criteria to measure the success of corporate health promotion programs," said Craig Hanken, Wellness Council Executive Director. "By following the standards set forth in the Well Workplace criteria, companies can develop programs that build cultures of wellness within their workforce.

The State of Iowa received the Silver Well Workplace designation for its commitment to the health and well-being of its employees. Standards included demonstrating management commitment for the program, a written annual operating plan specific to health promotion, supportive policies, and effective programs to increase awareness, educate and encourage behavior change in employees.

The organizations also honored included Dallas County Hospital, Perry (Silver Designation); Genesis Health System, Davenport (Gold Designation); Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, Grinnell (Gold Designation); Interstates/Harbor Group, Sioux Center (Gold Designation); Des Moines University, Des Moines (Platinum Designation); Mercy Medical Center, Des Moines (Platinum Designation); and Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Platinum Designation).

The Healthy Iowa Awards are presented by the Academy for a Healthy Iowa, a collaboration between the Iowa Department of Public Health and Wellness Council of Iowa. Award winners are selected based on providing access to wellness, programming, financial commitment, measurability and sustainability. Applications for the 2013 Healthy Iowa Awards will be available January 1, 2013, and can be found at www.wellnessiowa.org.

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