YSU recognized for commitment to employee well-being

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State University has won the Healthy Ohio-Healthy Worksite Gold Level Award for 2015 for its commitment to employee health.

YSU joins Ohio State University as the only universities in the state to receive the Gold Level Award.

YSU won the award in the Large Business category for organizations with more than 1,000 employees. Other winners in that category included Ohio State University, Mount Carmel Health System, Mercy Medical Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, American Showa Inc., Union Hospital Dover, Southern Ohio Medical Center, Lake Health, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Tri-Health and The Westfield Group.

It is the fifth year that YSU has won the award, but the first time the university has received the Gold Level Award. Previously, YSU won two Silver Awards and two Bronze Awards.

The award will be presented at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Hyatt Regency-Columbus, as part of the Health Action Council Ohio Annual 2016 Conference.

“We are elated to receive the highest level award, especially after hearing some of the presentations at the awards luncheons from years past Gold winners,” said Carrie Clyde, YSU’s Wellness coordinator. “They are big companies or health systems with phenomenal top-notch programs.”

Debra Smith of the Healthy Ohio Business Council said YSU’s achievement demonstrates its commitment to employee health and well-being.

“Your exemplary efforts to provide employees with programs that encourage physical activity, better nutrition and the prevention or cessation of tobacco use are to be commended,” she said.

Among YSU’s Wellness programs is a yearlong incentive earning campaign where employees can earn points for participating in prevention, education and healthy living activities.

Clyde said one of YSU’s most popular wellness challenges is the annual Walk Your Way to Wellness pedometer campaign. Another highly popular initiative is the health screen and flu shot events, she said.

In 2015, 38 percent of YSU’s benefit eligible employees participated in at least one wellness program, she said.