Workplace health programs boost morale
and productivity
Wood River Health Services was
recognized with an Exemplary Worksite Health Award from Blue Cross & Blue
Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) and the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce
(the Chamber) for effective programs encouraging employee health and well-being
in a meaningful way.
Wood River Health Services was one of
more than 65 Rhode Island businesses honored by BCBSRI and the Chamber with a
Worksite Health Award at a breakfast attended by hundreds of state business
leaders.
The event celebrated local businesses
who have demonstrated a commitment to improving Rhode Islanders’ overall health
through innovative wellness programs, as companies and individuals.
The health center’s Wellness Committee
was also honored as a Wellness Achiever with a Create and Innovate
Award for their November “Planksgiving” and “30 Days of Thankfulness”
programs.
Each day of the program involved
planking (a specific exercise that helps improve core stability, abdominal
strength, posture, and balance) for increasing lengths of time, building up to
three minutes.
“As a not-for-profit committed to the
health of all Rhode Islanders, we’re delighted to continue our partnership with
the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce as presenting sponsor of the 24th
annual Worksite Health Awards,” said Melissa Cummings, executive vice president
and chief customer officer of BCBSRI.
“This event includes the opportunity to
learn from each other’s successes and this year we have launched a new
opportunity to highlight wellness achievers, companies that have taken unique,
innovative and creative approaches to prioritizing wellness and helping
employees achieve and maintain their health goals.”
“By increasing morale and production,
and decreasing healthcare costs and sick leave, worksite health programs are a
win for all involved. We applaud Wood River Health Services for making the
commitment to invest in the wellness of their team and for inspiring more Rhode
Island businesses to find creative ways to help their employees live better,
healthier and happier lives. We encourage other companies to follow their
lead,” said Laurie White, president of the Greater Providence Chamber of
Commerce.
Wood River Health Services is the Federally
Qualified Community Health Center for southwestern Rhode Island and
southeastern Connecticut, providing medical and dental care and social services
to over 7,000 area residents.
The center also administers the area WIC
(Women, Infants and Children) Nutrition Program, provides a nationally
recognized chronic disease management program, has available onsite lab testing
in cooperation with Westerly Hospital, including blood work, x-ray and
mammography, and provides behavioral and mental health counseling and referrals.
Sliding scale payments are available to
those who qualify.