Company receives top honors for commitment to wellness & creation of a healthy snack program
PORTLAND, Ore. — The American Heart Association recently recognized Regence as a Start! Fit-Friendly Company for its efforts to create a culture of wellness in the workplace and help employees live healthier lives. The company earned a platinum level award as part of the AHA’s Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program. The program honors organizations that meet several criteria related to physical fitness, nutrition, corporate culture and health care cost savings.
“This honor from the American Heart Association is especially meaningful to us at Regence, as we strive to set an example for our members and the community by building a culture of well-being among our employees,” said Amy Walloch, manager of Regence’s wellness programs. “This award is truly a reflection of our employees’ commitment to their personal health and the vital role they play in helping Regence build our wellness culture.”
In addition to the platinum award, Regence also earned a worksite innovation award for its Snack Attack program, which provides employees the opportunity to trade in their junk food for healthy snacks. During the Snack Attack, Regence’s wellness team visits employees at their desks and offers them a healthy snack, such as fresh fruit or nuts, in exchange for any unhealthy snacks they have on hand. The worksite innovation award is given to companies that implement innovative and effective health and wellness programs in the workplace.
Along with the Snack Attack program, Regence has a comprehensive workplace wellness program that includes discounted healthy cafeteria fare, onsite fitness centers, an incentive program where employees can earn gift cards for participation in wellness programs, a smoking cessation program, health coaching and onsite Weight Watchers (where employees have lost nearly 18,000 pounds since 2006). For more information about the AHA’s Start! program, visit heart.org/start.
About Regence
Regence is a leading health insurer in the Northwest / Mountain State Region, offering health, life and dental insurance. We serve nearly three million members as Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueShield (selected counties in Washington), Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield of Idaho. Each plan is a not-for-profit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Regence is committed to improving the health of our members and our communities, and to transforming our health care system. For more information, please visit regence.com.