The American Heart Association recognizes employers who go “above and beyond when it comes to their employees health” and specifically looks for employers who provide walking programs, walking routes and offer healthy choices in their dining options.
(Greenwood, S.C., March 21, 2014) – The American Heart Association has named Self Regional Healthcare one of its 2014 Gold ‘Fit-Friendly Worksites.’ For the recognition, the American Heart Association said it recognizes employers who go “above and beyond when it comes to their employees health” and specifically looks for employers who provide walking programs, walking routes and offer healthy choices in their dining options.
This is the first time Self Regional has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a Fit-Friendly Worksite. In January 2013, the health system launched a pedometer-based walking program for its team members to encourage additional walking and physical activity. For team members who achieve an average of 6,000 or more steps per day, they earn an incentive of $25 per quarter in their flexible spending accounts.
Since the program was launched, more than 1,700 team members have signed up to participate in the program and team members average more than 6,600 steps per day. Self Regional also mapped an exterior, one-mile walking track around the campus of Self Regional Medical Center to encourage team members to take walks during breaks.
The cafes and restaurants at Self Regional offer nutritional information and a “Self Select” menu option that features healthy food alternatives at a discounted rate.
“Being named a Fit-Friendly Worksite reinforces our commitment to our team members’ health,” said Jim Pfeiffer, President and CEO of Self Regional Healthcare. “Our walking program has encouraged many of us to increase our activity levels, and walk more each day.”
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About Self Regional Healthcare:
Self Regional Healthcare is a not-for-profit, regional referral hospital that provides care to residents of Greenwood, Abbeville, Laurens, Saluda, McCormick, Edgefield and Newberry counties. Services include prevention and wellness, acute care and tertiary care services including cancer care, neurosurgery, heart and vascular surgery, NICU and orthopedics. Self Medical Group is its employed physician affiliate network of 20 practices and more than 60 physicians.
