For its efforts in promoting a healthy lifestyle, the West Virginia University Employee Wellness Program received the Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite award from the American Heart Association this week.

Announced in February, the award was received by Vice President for Human Resources Margie Phillips today (May 29) at the Mountainlair Student Union. It is the first platinum-level award the organization has bestowed in Morgantown.

“Physical activity and employee wellness are important priorities at West Virginia University. We are honored and excited to be recognized by the American Heart Association as a Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite,” Phillips said. “I attribute this recognition to the outstanding work of our worksite wellness coordinators under the leadership of Wellness Program Manager Kimberly Zaph and Director of Benefits Administration Toni Christian.”

The association defines platinum-level employers as:

  • Offering employees physical activity options in the workplace.
  • Increasing healthy eating options at the worksite.
  • Promoting a wellness culture in the workplace.
  • Implementing at least nine criteria outlined by the American Heart Association in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and culture.
  • Demonstrating measurable outcomes related to workplace wellness.

WVU employees have had multiple wellness opportunities through events and programs in the last several years such as Smart Start 2014, a six-week physical activity program that provides tools and support necessary for participants to begin making a conscious and deliberate choice to be active every day.

-WVU-

dm/5/29/14

CONTACT: Kimberly Zaph, Wellness Program Manager
304-293-8405, Kimberly.Zaph@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.