Healthiest Employers lauded for results

PROVIDENCE – Providence Business News’ eighth Healthiest Employers awards event brought together 270 of the region’s business leaders Thursday to celebrate individuals and companies that have taken wellness initiatives to heart.

Based on a survey administered by the Healthiest Employers Group, based in Indianapolis, PBN recognized 31 companies, ranging from retailers to relocation experts to universities for their efforts to help employees live healthier, more productive lives.

PRO-CHANGE BEHAVIOR SYSTEMS Co-CEO and -President Sara S. Johnson spoke to the 270 attendees of the 2019 Healthiest Employers event about the benefits of social connection, workplace purpose and community building in her keynote speech at the event. / PBN PHOTO/MIKE SKORSKI
PRO-CHANGE BEHAVIOR SYSTEMS Co-CEO and -President Sara S. Johnson spoke to the 270 attendees of the 2019 Healthiest Employers event about the benefits of social connection, workplace purpose and community building in her keynote speech at the event. / PBN PHOTO/MIKE SKORSKI

Keynote speaker for the event, Sara S. Johnson, co-CEO and -president of Pro-Change Behavior Systems Inc., talked about effecting behavior change in the service of improving health. She noted that the companies being honored were likely high performers in helping employees create a sense of well-being in their physical, emotional and financial lives. But there is more to wellness than these three concepts.

Johnson put social connection, purpose and community as co-equal pieces of the wellness puzzle.

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Strong social connections, she said, are a fundamental need. In fact, she said, there is strong evidence that loneliness correlates more strongly with a shortened life span than smoking.

Having a sense of purpose – the extent to which you feel you have a strong reason for doing what you do – has been linked with improved mental acuity, among other health improvements.

Finally, Johnson talked about community building and the advantages seen by companies and people that volunteer. She said that it doesn’t take much, but the outcomes are reduced depression and improved mortality rates, along with other outcomes.

BUSINESS LEADERS from the region celebrated the 31 Healthiest Employers at an event held by PBN at the Providence Marriott Downtown Thursday. / PBN PHOTO/MIKE SKORSKI
BUSINESS LEADERS from the region celebrate the 31 Healthiest Employers at an event held by PBN at the Providence Marriott Downtown Thursday. / PBN PHOTO/MIKE SKORSKI

Following Johnson’s keynote presentation, PBN recognized nine “Healthiest Winners,” people nominated by their companies for making real differences in their lives. The last – and most striking – winner recognized was Levi Garrett, a team leader with Ocean State Job Lot. In the last 18 months, Garrett lost 215 pounds and now weighs 190. Today he is using what he has learned in helping 13 family members achieve their fitness goals.

Following the Healthiest Winners presentation, the winning companies – ranked into five groups based on number of employees – were honored. The five category leaders are:

  • International Game Technology PLC, 5,000+ employees
  • CBIZ Inc., 2,000-4,999 employees
  • South County Health, 500-1,499 employees
  • Children’s Friend, 150-499 employees
  • Parkinson Technologies Inc., 5-149 employees

IGT, CBIZ, South County Health and Parkinson were all repeat leaders in their categories. For a full list of the winners, click HERE for the announcement made in June. Profiles of all the winners will be included in the Aug. 9 issue of PBN.

Partner sponsors for the Healthiest Employers program, held at the Providence Marriott Downtown, were Aetna Inc., Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, CVS Health Corp. and Tufts Health Plan.