Date:

September 29, 2006

For More Information Contact:

Bill Kostner, Risk Manager, 441-7671

Lisa Henning, WorkWell, 441-8049

The Wellness Councils of America (WELCOA) will present the City of Lincoln with a Well Workplace Silver Award at the 20th annual WorkWell banquet Tuesday, October 3. The Silver Well Workplace Award recognizes organizations and companies that are supportive of employees’ efforts to modify health risks and improve overall health and well-being. Six others will receive awards at the banquet, which begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Country Club of Lincoln. Mayor Coleen J. Seng will give opening remarks and help present the awards.

“We have a dedicated group of Wellness Committee representatives that strive to encourage healthy practices among all employees,” said Bill Kostner, Risk Manager for the City of Lincoln. “We have also worked closely with Coventry Healthcare, our health insurance carrier, to encourage a healthy lifestyle among all employees. Studies have shown that wellness programs are not only a good deal for employees – helping with morale and productivity – but they are also one of the few proven methods to reduce health insurance claims costs.”

Others receiving awards are Nebraska Heart Hospital - Silver; Nebraska Heart Institute - Silver; BryanLGH Medical Center - Gold; Union Bank - Gold; UNL Campus Recreation - Gold; and Lincoln Plating Company - Platinum re-certification.

WELCOA developed the Well Workplace Awards Initiative in 1991 to advance an aggressive national worksite wellness agenda. Since its inception, more than 700 corporations, health care systems, public agencies, and educational institutions – employing more than one million people – have met the criteria and have been recognized as some of “America’s Healthiest Companies.”

WorkWell is a local wellness council serving about 95 businesses that employ 55,000 workers. It is the only wellness council in the nation with a true local government - private partnership. WorkWell is celebrating its 20th year of service in Lincoln and southeastern Nebraska.