Local firms reveal how to create a winning wellness program

By SuSan Lundine

Many local businesses realize healthy workers are more productive. And offering incentives that galvanize employees to get fit typically results in a more profitable firm.

In this issue, we reveal the 2012 Healthiest Employers in Central Florida, a ranking of companies that invest time, training and mon-ey in programs that promote healthy lifestyles.

To be eligible, firms had to be in Orange, Osceo-la, Seminole or Lake counties and have at least five workers. The companies were divided in-to four size categories: small, 5-99 employees; medium, 100-999 employees; large, 1,000-4,999 employees; and giant, 5,000-plus employees.

Healthiest Employer LLC did online surveys this year, asking 75 questions about each nom-inated firm’s wellness program in six key ar-eas: culture and leadership commitment, foun-dational components, strategic planning, com-

munications and marketing, programming and interventions, and reporting and analysis.

Questions included whether companies monitor changes in health care spending com-paring those who do and don’t participate in the wellness programs; and if firms provide incentives for workers at risk for chronic con-ditions to change their behavior.

The categories, scoring and analysis were developed by a panel of medical, academic, business, wellness, finance and statistics professionals. To date, Healthiest Employer LLC has surveyed nearly 3,000 organizations in more than 40 states representing 50 million employees worldwide for about 40 Healthiest Employers award programs.

Orlando-area employers averaged a 53.8 Healthiest Employer Index, versus last year’s 49.94, and a national average of 54.85. Scores improved from 2011 in the number of compa-nies using biometric screenings, and obesity coaching and management.

See Pages 12-18 — and online at www.orlando-businessjournal.com — to learn more about Central Florida’s healthiest employers.

specialreports@bizjournals.com | (407) 649-8470

2012 Healthiest Employers

2012 Healthiest Employers nominees

After Hours PediatricsAvant Healthcare Professionals LLCBowyer-Singleton & Associates Inc.Burr & Forman LLPChildren’s Home Society of FloridaCity of OrlandoCrossman & Co.DiCom SoftwareDuke RealtyFirst Green BankFlorida HospitalFlorida Municipal Power AgencyGaylord Palms Resort & Convention CenterGreenspoon Marder PAHospitalityStaffHyatt Regency Orlando International AirportHylant GroupIntersil Corp.KavaliroLake NonaLincoln Technical InstituteMarriott Vacations WorldwideMen’s Divorce Law FirmMetroPCSMoss, Krusick & Associates LLCNational Retail Properties Inc.Orange County Public SchoolsOrlando HealthOrlando Senior Health NetworkPCL Construction Services Inc.Rollins CollegeRosen Hotels & ResortsSeminole County Board of County CommissionersSeminole County Public SchoolsSmart City TelecomSolodevSouth Lake HospitalTupperware Brands Corp.UnitedHealthcareUniversal OrlandoValencia CollegeVisit OrlandoWalt Disney World Swan & DolphinWinter Park Chamber of CommerceWorkscapes Inc.Wyndham Vacation Ownership

Photos clockwise from top left: Florida Hospital Orlando workers in a group stretch; Rollins College Benefits Administrator Jennifer Adelman; city of Orlando cooking class with Roniece Weaver, Terry Roberts and Fabiola Gaines; David Dix of Duke Realty

photo | Rebecca Males photo | Rebecca Males

photo | couRtesy of DeboRah castagnola

photo | couRtesy of floRiDa hospital photo | jiM caRchiDi

10 OBJ Special Report NOV. 30–DEC. 6, 2012

16 OBJ orlandobusinessjournal.com HealtHiest emplOyers NOV. 30–DEC. 6, 2012

By Veronica Figueroa

There are no typical days at work for Joan Marie White.

From leading a daily walk and keeping up with incentive campaigns to hosting on-site activities and responding to em-ployee concerns, the wellness program manager for the Children’s Home Society of Florida has her plate full — but that doesn’t bother her. “I have a fun job.”

Orlando Business Journal named the Children’s Home Society of Florida the 2012 Healthiest Employer in Central Florida among large organizations with 1,000-4,999 employees. The non-profit started its wellness program in 2006 and allows workers to participate during work hours.

“We care about our employees and be-lieve this is an important benefit,” said David A. Bundy, president and CEO. “We can better serve and set positive exam-ples for our clients if we take care of our-selves. Healthier employees are happier.”

Currently, the organization is doing a 12-week weight-management and ex-ercise team challenge, and everyone who completes it gets a prize. Partici-pants have lost a total of 928 pounds and exercised 7,348 hours.

Rene Ledford, Children’s Home Soci-ety’s director of curriculum development and training, has lost 70 pounds thanks to the wellness program. “We have a family here that supports our goals and doesn’t pass judgment when we struggle.”

The nonprofit has a year-round calen-dar of free programs, monthly wellness education meetings and on-site events. Free wellness activities include relax-ation/spa days, massages, yoga and Zumba classes, and flu shots.

The Children’s Home Society recently launched a social networking aspect of the program through Aetna’s Get Ac-tive platform, which allows employees to support each other, track personal progress and participate in team compe-titions in weight loss, exercise minutes and steps taken.

“I love the fact that other members can challenge you to complete things,” said Tracy Lytle, a family support work-er. “I like that I can be competitive in a healthy atmosphere.”

About 75 percent of employees participate in the wellness programs. Participation, staff surveys, health care claims reviews and health risk assessment data are some ways the program’s success is measured.

“I’ve started challenges and an Insan-ity workout after-hours with co-workers who were interested in more interactive ways to get healthy,” said Heather Stin-son, a counselor at the nonprofit.

In addition, “we have created partner-ships within the community” with or-ganizations such as LA Fitness, Whole Foods and Florida Hospital, White said. For example, “we participate in a com-

munity wellness partnership created by Florida Hospital for local companies run-ning wellness programs to share ideas.”

specialreports@bizjournals.com | (407) 649-8470

Discounts on gym memberships popular at Children’s Home SocietyDivision: Large • 1,000-4,999 employees WINNER

Children’s Home Society of FloridaType of business: Nonprofit that provides adoption, foster care and other services for homeless, abused or neglected childrenTop executive: David A. Bundy, presi-dent and CEOLocal employees: 350Total employees: 1,900Website: www.chsfl.org Wellness leaders: Joan Marie White and Ann ElhartUnique wellness approach: We help employees understand how to navi-gate the health care system, make the most of their health benefits and save money. We also incentivize staff to go for preventive visits with their primary care doctor. Total wellness program cost: About $133,000 a yearTop wellness program goals: To raise awareness, educate, promote and coor-dinate health and wellness programs and activities that encourage disease preven-tion and healthy lifestyle changes

FINALIST

City of OrlandoType of business: Local government Top executive: Mayor Buddy DyerEmployees: 2,900 Website: www.cityoforlando.netWellness leader: Deborah CastagnolaNotable wellness success: A 64 percent smoking cessation success rate, above the national 32 percent average rate Most popular wellness initiative: Annual Employee Fitness Challenge. The week-long challenge features 35 events with more than 500 employees participating. It offers everything from a tug-of-war to a non-competitive walk.Top wellness program goals: Health-ier employees have lower health care costs, absenteeism and disability costs, and enhanced productivity, work satis-faction and morale.

FINALIST

MetroPCSType of business: Publicly traded cell-phone service providerTop executive: Tom Gawronski, general managerLocal employees: 130Total employees: 3,800Website: www.metropcs.com Wellness leaders: Ron Marbrey and Chandra WatersRewards for participation or goal achievement: Healthy lunches at Sea-sons 52Employees who participate in well-ness program: 60 percentMost popular wellness initiative: Discounts on gym memberships and gym location flexibility, free flu shots on-site, free biometric screenings on-site annually

PHOTO | REBECCA MALES

Children’s Home Society of Florida wellness leader Joan Marie White