Marquette University recognized for employee wellness program

MILWAUKEE — Marquette University has received a Gold Well Workplace Award from The Wellness Council of America for its employee wellness program. WELCOA recognizes organizations throughout the country with Well Workplace Awards for their commitment to the health and well-being of their employees.

According to WELCOA, Marquette’s Well Workplace Award indicates that the university integrates health promotion into the way the university operates and demonstrates that Marquette is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of its employees.

“Our faculty and staff are our most valuable asset,” said Rev. Robert A. Wild, S.J., president of Marquette. “It is their expertise that allows us to educate our students to become men and women for others. We’ve made it a priority to take care of our employees and create a wellness program that supports our employees’ efforts to improve their own well-being and reduce their health risks.”

“Marquette University has clearly demonstrated that it has made a tangible commitment to protecting the health and well-being of its employees,” said David Hunnicutt, president of the Wellness Council of America. “By meeting the rigorous standards necessary to achieve the Gold Well Workplace Award, Marquette has demonstrated that it is world-class in its approach to workplace wellness.”

Marquette launched its wellness program in January 2009 to develop a culture of health and wellness, promote healthy lifestyle choices for employees and serve as a centralized source of employee wellness information. All employees were surveyed to determine their wellness needs and interests. Wellness programming developed during 2009 included initiatives addressing nutrition, smoking cessation, health management, exercise and stress management, as well as a running group and blood pressure screenings.

Marquette is one of 34 award winners who are part of the Well City Milwaukee initiative, a coordinated effort to receive Well City status from WELCOA and improve the health and well-being of the workforce in Milwaukee.

Marquette will be formally presented with its WELCOA award Tuesday, April 13, at the Well City Milwaukee annual celebration at the Pfister Hotel.

For more information about Marquette’s employee wellness program, visit http://www.marquette.edu/chs/wellness/index.shtml