May 2005

Northwestern receives ‘Health @ Work’ award

Northwestern Health Sciences University’s employee health and wellness program recently received the 2005 Health @ Work award from Hennepin County, Minn. The award recognizes organizations in the county that have made a positive difference in their workplaces and the health of their employees.

Although Northwestern’s program is only a year old, the University surpassed seven other applicants including Cargill Co., which has more than 100,000 employees and annual revenue of $195 million, and the Star Tribune, which has 2,400 employees and annual revenue of $380 million.

Northwestern is a nonprofit organization with fewer than 200 full-time employees and revenue of more than $20 million.

“Receiving this award is a big honor,” says Rosie Ward, MPH, Northwestern’s health and wellness coordinator. “To beat out companies like Cargill and Star Tribune, which have wellness programs in place for years, is an incredible achievement.”

Northwestern’s health and wellness program — dubbed Healthy-U — has several components, including a health and wellness advisory council; annual employee health risk assessments; and a recess program that encourages more social interaction and stress relief. In addition to recognition in Hennepin County’s newspaper, Northwestern will receive a check for $500.

Source: Northwestern Health Sciences University, jhunt@nwhealth.edu

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