(Lincoln, Neb.) Award Winners (pdf) | Photo Gallery - Gov. Dave Heineman today announced this year’s recipients of the Governor’s Excellence in Wellness Awards.  A total of 28 Nebraska employers were honored for successful workplace wellness programs. 

“These awards recognize employers for their commitment to employee well-being,” Gov. Heineman said.  “Prevention and wellness efforts in the workplace have produced higher productivity, better employee satisfaction and helped control health care costs.  Wellness works and these programs are helping more Nebraskans lead healthier lives.”

The award was created to recognize Nebraska employers that have developed successful models for encouraging wellness at work. 

Central Nebraska businesses will be recognized at the Annual Safety and Wellness luncheon in Kearney on October 11 and Lincoln and Omaha area businesses will be recognized at the Work Well Luncheon in Lincoln on October 18.

Factors considered for the award include the level of support for the program by company leaders, assessment of employee needs, wellness plan design, outcomes and benefits, and policies supporting healthy behaviors.  Wellness programs typically provide employees with health education, health screenings and opportunities for exercise.

Dr. Joann Schaefer, Nebraska’s Chief Medical Officer, said, “Wellness programs empower employees to make good decisions about the health risk factors in their lives.  They can help workers take action to avoid chronic illnesses that can adversely impact their health and affect their quality of life.  We hope this award program will encourage more businesses to offer employee health and wellness programs.”

Nebraska’s workplace wellness program offers two categories.  The Grower award division honors businesses and organizations demonstrating significant improvement in employee health behaviors, while the Sower award division recognizes workplaces with quality wellness programs.

Businesses receiving the Grower award include: Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance, Chadron Community Hospital in Chadron, South Platte NRD in Gering, Associated Staffing Inc. in Kearney, Baldwin Filters in Kearney, University of Nebraska-Kearney in Kearney, Assurity Life Insurance Company in Lincoln, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska in Lincoln, C&A Industries in Lincoln, CASSLING in Lincoln, First National Bank in Lincoln, Lincoln Industries in Lincoln, NEBCO, Inc. in Lincoln, SilverStone Group in Lincoln, Streck, Inc. in Lincoln, The Nebraska Medical Center Wellness Center in Lincoln, University of Nebraska Alumni Association in Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Foundation in Lincoln.

Sower award recipients include: Region 3 Behavioral Health Services in Kearney, South Heartland District Health Department in Kearney, Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District in Kearney, Conductix-Wampfler, Inc. in Lincoln, Jefferson Community Health Center in Lincoln, Schneider Electric in Lincoln, State of Nebraska in Lincoln, Tabitha Health Care in Lincoln and University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Nebraska businesses can apply for one of the Governor’s Excellence in Wellness Awards online at www.nebraska.gov or www.dhhs.nebraska.gov.  Awards are presented annually and are good for three years. 

This is the fourth year for the award which was created to recognize Nebraska employers that have developed successful models for encouraging wellness at work. The award program is a partnership of the Office of the Governor, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and WorkWell, Inc.