DOVER-FOXCROFT - The Wellness Councils of America has bestowed its coveted Gold level Well Workplace Award on Mayo Regional Hospital, which now joins an elite group of “America’s Healthiest Companies” committed to supporting worksite employee health.
WELCOA designates bronze, silver, gold and platinum recognition to a select number of employers -- just over 900 worldwide -- that meet a rigorous criteria in their efforts to advance employee health, lower health care costs, and improve productivity. Mayo’s comprehensive award application was prepared by Ken Proctor, Director of Human Resources, and Roxanne Nason, manager of the WorkWISE occupational health program, with support from the hospital’s Wellness Committee.
“Mayo’s mission statement is dedicated to improving the health status of those we serve,” said Ralph Gabarro, hospital CEO. “I believe it is critical to our efforts to achieve well region status for us to assume a leadership role in wellness, and provide a comprehensive wellness program for our employees. We are committed to assisting our employees and their family members in making informed lifestyle changes that can reduce health risks and stimulate their overall sense of well being.”
Mayo Regional is the largest employer in Piscataquis County, with over 460 staff at the hospital, and at nine physician offices located in Dover-Foxcroft, Dexter, Milo, Guilford and Corinna. The hospital’s Wellness Committee coordinates wellness activities, such as the annual employee health fair on May 21, designed to support healthy living.
“Good companies know their employees are their most valuable asset. Great companies, however, go beyond surface recognition by taking care of their employees,” said David Hunnicutt, President of Wellness Councils of America.” Mayo Regional Hospital has made a tremendous commitment to its employees by creating a supportive environment and adopting policies that support their employees’ overall health.”
Proctor, Mayo’s HR director, said the hospital regularly surveys employee satisfaction levels and tracks turnover rates in order to maintain a positive work environment. He believes offering a wide range of wellness programming is a key component in demonstrating that Mayo cares about its employees.
“Mayo has established the goal of being both the provider of choice, and the employer of choice in our rural region,” added Gabarro. “We believe that achieving the Well Workplace designation by WELCOA shows how serious we are about retaining healthy, happy, motivated employees who view Mayo as a great place to work.”
With more than 2,500 member organizations located throughout North America, WELCOA is highly regarded for its results-oriented approach to worksite wellness. Only a handful of companies each year meet the rigorous standards to achieve a Well Workplace Award.