Well Workplace Awards Celebration Dinner

The newest additions to the list of America's Healthiest Companies were recognized at WLCME's Well Workplace Awards Celebration Dinner on May 19 at the Spectacular Events Center in Bangor. This year's celebration featured Peter Vigue, President/CEO of Cianbro as the Keynote Speaker. Mr. Vigue believes that his people are his greatest asset and investing in their health and quality of life is an investment in the company itself. His keynote speech was aptly titled, "It's All About People."

Our awards program recognizes organizations that have built successful results-oriented wellness programs, as defined by WELCOA's seven benchmarks. Four companies were honored this year. The Gold awards were presented to Brewer Automotive Components (BAC) and Millinocket Regional Hospital. The pinnacle of award levels, Platinum, was presented to Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine and Cianbro. Nationally, only fourteen companies currently hold the Platinum designation and two of those programs are in Maine! The four companies receiving awards this year have a lot to be proud of. They have clearly demonstrated innovation, leadership, and success in the realm of workplace health promotion. This is more than just an award – it is proof that these companies have established a results-oriented worksite wellness program -- successfully aligning company needs and business strategy with the interests and desired health outcomes of their employees.

Amanda Martin, BAC's Wellness Program Coordination, summed up the success of their program by stating, "Participants felt the program was motivating and brought positive changes to their lives."

Award winner, Marie Vienneau, CEO of Millinocket Regional Hospital said, "We're extremely proud to receive the gold award on our first application. It was a rewarding experience to be involved in the program."

The WELCOA model has helped thousands of companies transform their corporate cultures and improve the health and well-being of their most valuable asset – their employees. In one of the follow-up questionnaires completed by Anthem’s President and General Manager, those thoughts about the program’s success were echoed, stating that his involvement in the WELCOA plan, "demonstrates the commitment that we have made to improve our health as well as the communities that we live and work in."

Congratulations to this year's winners! You are setting the standard high for other employers in Maine!