CLEVELAND, OH (December 28. 2015) – The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and the Healthy Ohio Business Council (HOBC) recently announced the winners of the 12th annual Healthy Ohio Healthy Worksite Awards—and Excelas is pleased to bring home a bronze award in the Small Business category for the second consecutive year!

These awards recognized 68 Ohio employers who demonstrate a commitment to employee wellness through comprehensive worksite health promotion and wellness programs.  Applicants are scored on the extent their wellness programs facilitate and encourage employee health, enhance productivity and ensure a healthy work environment.

“Poor nutrition, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and alcohol and drug use limit our potential to be productive Ohioans.  This is why a comprehensive approach to preventive health and wellness at worksites is an essential part of improving both the health of Ohioans and the overall success of our state,” said Dr. Mary DiOrio, Medical Director at ODH.  “Healthy Ohio Healthy Worksite Award winners are leading the way in this effort by creating healthy work environments for their employees.”

“Employee health and wellness efforts result in major benefits for both employer and employee,” Helene Szczerba, chair of HOBC said.   “Positive returns on investment are realized for the employee who improves his or her health and the employer who realizes reductions in healthcare costs and an overall increase in productivity and job satisfaction.”

All worksites, large and small, public and private, for profit and nonprofit, are eligible to apply for the Healthy Ohio Healthy Worksite Award.  All applications are reviewed and evaluated by members of HOBC, and gold, silver, and bronze awards are made in the categories of Small Business (≤ 300 employees), Medium Business (301-1000 employees), and Large Business (1001+ employees).

For more information on the Healthy Ohio Healthy Worksite Award program, click here.