Governor Doyle Announces Winners of the Governor’s Worksite Wellness Award

[We have received the following press release and are pleased to publish it on behalf of Gov. Doyle's office.]

MADISON – Governor Doyle announced the winners of the Governor’s Worksite Wellness Award. The award, designed by the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health, recognizes employers that promote a work environment that encourages and enables their employees to improve their health and well-being.

“Across the state, health care costs are straining family budgets and hurting businesses both small and large,” Governor Doyle said. “I congratulate these employers that work with their employees to lower costs and improve their overall health and well-being.”

In addition to the benefits to employees that improved health and well-being provides, a healthier worksite results in numerous benefits to the employer as well. Studies show that worksites that employ an evidence based wellness program experience decreased health care costs, increased employee productivity and increased morale.

Applications are evaluated on criteria that include:

· Program infrastructure
· Health education
· Health screening and disease prevention & management
· Physical activity and nutrition components
· Tobacco use policies
· Alcohol and other drug policies

Please visit the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Heath website at http://www.fitness-health.wisconsin.gov/ for more information and to apply.

For more information on worksite wellness please visit: http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/health/physicalactivity/Sites/Worksite.htm

A listing of award winners follows:

Gold
Appleton Ideas, Appleton

Silver
City of Appleton, Appleton
Waukesha County Technical College, Pewaukee
Divine Savior Healthcare, Portage
City of La Crosse, La Crosse
City of Green Bay, Green Bay

Bronze
Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Madison