Laboratory receives 'well workplace' award for its employee wellness programs

Contact: Steve Sandoval, steves@lanl.gov, (505) 665-9206

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., April 9, 2001 -- The U.S. Department of Energy’s Los Alamos National Laboratory has received a bronze "well workplace" award from the Wellness Councils of America for its wellness programs. It is the first organization in New Mexico to receive such an award from the Wellness Councils.

Laboratory Director John Browne accepted the plaque at a recent meeting at Los Alamos.

The Omaha, Neb.-based national, not-for-profit organization is dedicated to promoting healthier lifestyles, especially through health-promotion activities at worksites.

Los Alamos joins Fortune 50 companies such as Exxon, Dupont Fibers, Mobil, Mylan Pharmaceuticals and Motorola Cellular as recipients of the council’s wellness program awards.

"As an organization that has clearly distinguished itself as a leader in worksite health promotion, I trust that you will continue to invest and improve upon this important initiative," David Hunnicutt, president of Wellness Councils of America, wrote to Jessica Kisiel, who coordinates Los Alamos’ Positive Health Directions Program.

"This award demonstrates the Laboratory’s commitment to a healthier, more productive work force," said Kisiel. "The input and feedback we’ve received from the Wellness Councils of America will help us enhance our programs as we move toward the next award level."

The Wellness Councils of America has a set of criteria by which organizations and companies must do a self-assessment to be considered for a well workplace award. The criteria include senior management support, strategic planning, program integration, employee and organizational needs, written annual operating plan, employee ownership and feedback, diverse employee groups, community resources and involvement, self-care and consumer health information and disability management.

The Positive Health Directions program sponsors the Health Connection and Health Check programs and several self-care books. Positive Health Directions is a comprehensive health and wellness program that includes the "Take Care of Yourself" book, which provides Laboratory workers advice on how to treat illnesses and helps users decide whether they should seek further medical assistance. It also includes a 24-hour medical resource hotline for University of California Laboratory employees and their family members to call toll free to the Mayo Clinic to receive health and wellness advice.

The Health Check program encourages University of California Laboratory employees to do a self assessment on their personal health by completing a voluntary health-risk appraisal.

Personal Best, a monthly online health and wellness newsletter and the monthly hardcopy Body Bulletin and Safety Check newsletters also are part of the Positive Health Directions program.

More information on the Wellness Councils of America can be found at http://www.welcoa.org/bldngwrldclss/worldclass_awards.html online.

Additional news releases from the Environment, Safety and Health (ESH) Division