Story Published:
Feb 22, 2012 at 12:05 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Feb 22, 2012 at 9:07 AM CDT
Cookeville Regional Medical Center recently celebrated the sixth year of their Wellness Program. A ceremony was held on Dec. 14, 2011, where winners were announced and recognized for their achievements for the 2011 year. The benefits employees may receive by participating in the Wellness program are free lab screenings, $200 rebate to employees currently enrolled in CRMC’s Health Benefit Plan and eight hours of base pay to any employee that meets one set goal.
“It is an exciting, motivational program that promotes a healthier life style for all employees participating,” Michael Venters, one of the co-chairmen and founder of the Wellness Program, said. “Each and every year, since the beginning of the program 6 years ago, the participation rate has increased dramatically from over 100 the first year, to over 800 for 2012.
This program is a fun and exciting way for employees to achieve optimal health and be rewarded for it too. The benefits of the program are not just for the employee. They also help CRMC with controlling healthcare costs by reducing the potential for major illnesses which would add costly insurance claims and cause decreased work productivity. I am amazed at the success stories we here every year. They are truly life changing moments for our employees.”
This program is designed to encourage and assist employees in their quest to achieve a healthier life style. Cookeville Regional employees have the opportunity to join the Wellness program in the fall of each year. Each employee participating in the Wellness Program will obtain blood work, weight measurement, blood pressure, and BMI calculations to help determine what areas may need improvement. After obtaining results, Wellness Committee members are available to meet with employees to help guide them in selecting goals for the upcoming year.
In 2011, there were 511 participants in the Wellness Program. The overall total weight loss for 2011 was 2,083.4 pounds, the total reduction in cholesterol was 4,014, the total reduction in triglycerides 7,139, the total reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was 6,050, and the total increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was 1,478.
This past year was deemed a successful year by the Cookeville Regional Wellness Program Committee.
