I'm very glad I was tested and will work on the areas that need to be worked on to live a healthier life - thank you Healthy Utah!
-Healthy Utah Participant

Wellness Council Conference 2006

Mrs. Huntsman Honors Healthy Worksites

On April 6, 2006, Mrs. Mary Kaye Huntsman, Utah’s First Lady, and the Utah Department of Health honored 23 of Utah’s state and local government agencies for outstanding efforts in promoting wellness at their worksites.  Agencies receiving the Healthy Utah Awards have helped implement healthy changes at their worksite, including changes in the environment and employee behavior.  

Each of the agencies recognized has established a wellness council, a group of employees who dedicate an hour each month to improving the health of their worksite.  Councils work on projects such as offering on-site healthy food options, having tobacco cessation and stress management programs available and sponsoring classes to improve employee health.  “Each of these agencies deserves a standing ovation for their efforts,” said Kathy Paras, Healthy Utah Program Manager.  “Implementing a worksite health promotion program shows commitment to employees’ health and well-being.”

The most prestigious award given is the Governor’s Work Well Award.  “This is what we hope all agencies strive for,” said Paras. “Implementation of a comprehensive, long-term health promotion program allows agencies to see changes in health care costs, productivity and the overall health of their employees.”  Criteria for the Governor’s Work Well Award include helping employees eat better and promoting physical activity among workers. 

Healthy Utah sponsored the awards.  Agencies receiving the 2006 Healthy Utah Awards include:

Governor’s Work Well Award

• Utah Department of Health, Cannon Health Building Wellness Council

Outstanding Program Awards

• Mountainlands Association of Governments Wellness Council
• Utah Department of Workforce Services – Logan Office Wellness Council

Outstanding Policy Award

• Price City Wellness Council

Outstanding Environment Awards

• Central Utah Water Conservancy Wellness Council
• Utah Department of Health, 44 Medical Wellness Council

Commitment to Wellness Awards

• Cache County
• Central Utah Water
• Courts – 8th District
• Davis Applied Technology Center 
• Eagle Mountain City
• Ephraim City
• Mountainlands Association of Governments
• Payson City
• Price City
• Utah Department of Administrative Services – Fleet Operations
• Utah Department of Corrections – Administration
• Utah Department of Corrections – Gunnison
• Utah Department of Health – 44 Medical Triangle
• Utah Department of Health – Cannon Health Building
• Utah Department of Human Services – Blanding
• Utah Department of Human Services – Murray
• Utah Department of Human Services – North Temple
• Utah Department of Transportation – Rampton Complex
• Utah Department of Workforce Services – Logan
• Utah Department of Workforce Services – Provo
• Utah Department of Workforce Services – Vernal
• Wasatch County
• Wasatch Front Regional Council