The National Business Group on Health, a national non-profit organization of 266 large employers, has honored Baptist Health South Florida for its commitment and dedication to combating obesity and promoting a healthy lifestyle for its employees.
 
Baptist Health was among 11 employers receiving the organization’s highest honor – the Platinum award – for its established healthy weight, healthy lifestyles program, Wellness Advantage.  A total of 41 employers received the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles award at the Leadership Summit sponsored by the Business Group’s Institute on the Costs and Health Effects of Obesity. This is the third consecutive year the not-for-profit healthcare organization has received the Platinum Award.

“The health and well-being of our employees is critical in their ability to care for patients, balance their personal and professional lives, or focus on our mission,” said Baptist Health President and CEO Brian E. Keeley.  “Our Wellness Advantage program helps our nearly 11,500 employees achieve their personal health goals through a variety of programs and services including free fitness centers, health screenings, and one-on-one assistance for health-related issues such as weight loss. It also helps our organization keep health insurance premiums and healthcare utilization rates as low and affordable as possible.”

“We are very pleased to honor Baptist Health for their support and dedication to providing lifestyle improvement program designed to reduce obesity and promote healthier lifestyles for their employees,” said Helen Darling, President of the Business Group. “Baptist Health is a true leader and knows the importance of supporting their employees’ efforts to choose a healthier way of life.”

Now in its third year, the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles awards acknowledge and reward those employers that recognize the urgent need to improve their workers’ health, productivity and quality of life.  The underlying goal of the program is to serve as a catalyst to encourage all employers to take action. 

Winners of the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles awards were honored in one of three categories: Platinum, for established programs with measurable outcomes; Gold, for creating cultural and environmental changes that support employees who have made a commitment to long-term behavior changes; and Silver, for those employers who have launched significant programs or services to promote living a healthier lifestyle.
 
Baptist Health is South Florida’s largest not-for-profit healthcare organization. It includes Baptist, Baptist Children’s, Doctors, Homestead, Mariners and South Miami Hospitals, as well as Baptist Outpatient Services, Baptist Health Enterprises and Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute.

About the National Business Group on Health
The National Business Group on Health is the nation’s only non-profit, membership organization of large employers devoted exclusively to finding innovative and forward-thinking solutions to their most important health care and related benefits issues. The Business Group identifies and shares best practices in health benefits, disability, health and productivity, related paid time off and work/life balance issues. Business Group members provide health coverage for more than 50 million U.S. workers, retirees and their families.  For more information about the Business Group, visit www.businessgrouphealth.org