CITY RECEIVES 2019 HEALTHIEST COMPANIES GOLD AWARD

The City of Fernandina Beach has been named one of the 2019 Healthiest Companies by the First Coast Worksite Wellness Council (FCWWC) as a Gold Level Award winner for the third consecutive year. The Council announced the winners at the 11th Annual Worksite Wellness Conference in Jacksonville on May 8, 2019. The companies who received awards were honored for their commitment to employee health and wellness and for making noteworthy strides to improve the health and well-being of their employees. This is the seventh straight year the City has been recognized by the FCWWC for its health and wellness program. Human Resources (HR) Director Robin Marley and HR Generalists Toni Brown and Teresa Bryan accepted the award on behalf of the City of Fernandina Beach.
 
FCWWC has four levels of awards. According to their website, Gold Level companies have dedicated resources to ensure their programs are being properly measured each year. FCWWC conducts annual surveys and strategically selects the best programs that meet the organization’s goal of improving the health, productivity, and well-being of its employees.
 
Marley shared that organizations must meet certain criteria in their wellness plans to be considered for each award level.  One of the notable actions the City has taken since 2004 is to plan and execute an annual Health and Benefits Fair which includes free health screenings and helps educate employees about better health management.
 
In 2016, the City partnered with Baptist Health and the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast to implement a wellness program, Personalized Approach to Health (PATH), which assists employees in developing a manageable wellness plan, including a baseline health assessment and information to help them achieve personal health goals. In 2017, the City introduced a new weight loss and healthy living program, “Real Appeal,” for its covered employees and dependents, provided at no cost by its medical insurance carrier. 
 
Marley stated, “The focus of every good wellness program is changing behaviors for the better. With the right education, skills, and support, people are motivated to change and become more mindful of their health and wellness. Since beginning our wellness initiative at the City of Fernandina Beach, we have seen our employees become more interested and actively engaged in wellness, not only for themselves personally, but for one another as well.”

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