Archive for the ‘Corporate Wellness’ Category:


WellAdvantage Recognized As Top 100 MBE® Award Winner

Published by in Corporate Wellness on October 22nd, 2014

Top100MBESYKESVILLE, MD (October 16, 2014) – Jeanne Puglisi Sherwood, CEO of WellAdvantage, has been selected to receive the distinguished 2014 Top 100 Minority Business Enterprise Award. The Top 100 MBE® ceremony is designed to acknowledge and pay tribute to outstanding women and minority business owners in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware and the District of Columbia.

The awards ceremony takes place during Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s Minority Enterprise Development Week in Baltimore. It will be held at the War Memorial Hall located at 101 N. Gay Street in downtown Baltimore on Thursday, October 23, 2014 at 5:30 p.m.

“We are thrilled to be recognized as a Top 100 MBE Award Winner,” said Ms. Sherwood. “I am so fortunate to work with a team of talented professionals who are rewarded every day by helping people realize their life purpose through healthier lifestyles. Being recognized for this prestigious award among a group of truly distinguished business leaders is an honor. ”

WellAdvantage provides comprehensive wellness services for its clients, which range in size from 200 to 90,000 employees around the globe. WellAdvantage’s services include personal health monitoring and management technology; biometric screenings; corporate flu shot clinics; health coaching and more, helping clients reduce health risks up to 40 percent in areas like high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The national average for wellness programs is just 23 percent.

This year’s ceremony host organizations are the Mayor’s Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development; MBDA Business Center – Baltimore; Southwest Airlines; BGE; State Farm; Whiting-Turner, and others.

“The winners of this year’s Top 100 MBE Award exemplify excellence and economic stability” said Sharon R. Pinder, founder of the Top 100 MBE Awards Ceremony. “Ms. Sherwood represents the goals and aspirations of many entrepreneurs across this region.”

To obtain tickets for the 2014 Top 100 MBE Awards Ceremony or for a complete listing of this year’s winners, please visit .

About WellAdvantage™

WellAdvantage is an award-winning preventive health and corporate wellness company. Since 2001, WellAdvantage has developed innovative, customized wellness programs that deliver proven results in health awareness and disease prevention. WellAdvantage offers clients the latest in personal health monitoring and management technology, wellness coaching, biometric screenings, aggregate outcomes reporting and corporate incentive programs. WellAdvantage is MBE/WBE certified. For more information, please visit http://localhost/wellAdvantage.

Kayla Kavoukas WellAdvantage Account Manager

Published by in Corporate Wellness on August 19th, 2014

Kayla Kavoukas Since joining WellAdvantage in 2012 as an event staff fitness generalist, Kayla Kavoukas embraced her career with the company and now is an account manager with oversight of more than 10 corporate clients. Kayla brings an enthusiasm for health and fitness that is appreciated  by her clients. She strives to make her clients’ wellness programs exciting and refreshing for all participants.

Kayla understands the goals of her clients and is dedicated to building programs that target health risks while making health education fun and rewarding. Establishing Wellness Champion teams, enhancing incentive campaigns, educating clients about the wellness website, and surveying program acceptance and success levels are just a few of the steps she takes to ensure her clients’ satisfaction. She is truly an valued partner – both to her clients as well as to her WellAdvantage colleagues.

Taking her creativity to the next level, Kayla leads projects that include the development and customization of company-wide challenges and online wellness workshops. Maintaining close partnerships with her colleagues and sharing best practices, Kayla demonstrates how successful team efforts are a critical component in keeping WellAdvantage customers informed, engaged and eager to pursue their wellness goals.

Despite the demands of her role as account manager, Kayla’s dedication to fitness continues. She became a LesMills BodyStep instructor in April 2014 and plans to pursue additional fitness certifications that will continue to expand her career and her personal health horizons.

How to Address Intimate Partner Violence in the Workplace

Published by in Corporate Wellness on August 1st, 2014

House of Ruth Maryland

Article Submitted by: House of Ruth Maryland

 

With one out of every four American women reporting physical abuse by an intimate partner at some point in their lives, it is a certainty that in every workplace, the issue is affecting employees. Whether it’s a threatening phone call, repeated absences due to injury, or decreased productivity as a result of stress, intimate partner violence is a pervasive force in the American workplace.

And, it’s a silent issue. People being abused go to great lengths to hide it, while co-workers often view it as a personal issue, dangerous, and therefore are reluctant to reach out or get involved in any way.  When it does surface, unless people are prepared, it can be confusing and difficult to handle.

Did you know:

  • Domestic homicide is the leading cause of death for women in the workplace
  • 74% of perpetrators had easy access to their intimate partner’s workplace, with 21% of offenders reporting that they contacted her at the workplace in violation of a no contact order
  • 74% of victims are harassed at work by their abuser
  • 56% of battered women arrive an hour late for work 5 times a month
  • 74% of perpetrators were late to work
  • Only 4% of organizations train their employees about domestic violence and its impact on the workplace

 

What can you do about intimate partner violence in the workplace?

Educate –  Utilize Intimate Partner Violence experts in your community to train and educate your staff.

Create a workplace policy and procedures – Add an intimate partner violence policy to work in conjunction with others on health, performance and safety.  Include protocols for how staff should react to incidences, and how to have a safety plan for both the employee and the workplace.

Refer –  Provide referral sources for employees.  This could include Employee Assistance Programs, as well as local support contact information.

Respond –  Take action on any threat or act of violence in the workplace.  Intimate partner violence is a serious, recognizable problem that not only puts employees at risk, but presents potential liability for the employer who fails to react.

 

 

For More Information, Contact:

 

House of Ruth Maryland
2201 Argonne Drive
Baltimore, MD 21218-1627
(410) 889-RUTH(7884) (24-hr Emergency Hotline)
website: www.hruth.org
Take a stand Against Intimate Partner Violence

Visit Ruth’s Closet & Shop with a Purpose, Donate with a Passion
9131 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills, MD, 410-581-9780

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Renee Tripp WellAdvantage Manager, Customer Service & Data Management

Published by in Corporate Wellness on July 22nd, 2014

Renee Tripp, WellAdvantageAs the manager of WellAdvantage’s Customer Service & Data Management Department, Renee Tripp brings nearly six years of experience in the field to her role. She has particular expertise in database management and development, customized Web design platforms, Web administration reporting and incentive campaign design.

She thrives in a fast-paced environment and is right at home handling the new challenges and opportunities that come with working for a growing company like WellAdvantage. Since joining the company in 2008, Renee has continually broadened her scope and has expanded her department’s staff to include several additional customer service team members.

A valued member of WellAdvantage’s management leadership team, Renee provides insight and guidance on IT support and process re-engineering needs. Her forward-thinking approach allows the company to stay on the cutting edge of technology while continuing to maintain its exceptional customer service and satisfaction levels.

Renee is a mother of five children and enjoys managing a boys’ soccer travel team.

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Be Smarter than the Sun!

Published by in Corporate Wellness on July 10th, 2014

Without realizing it, the sun could be damaging your eyes or your skin. Take the necessary precautions to prevent UV radiation complications.

Being exposed to too much UV radiation has been shown to cause a variety of visual impairments. The American Optometric Association (www.aoa.org) informs, “The sun’s UV radiation can cause cataracts; benign growths on the eye’s surface; cancer of the eyelids and skin around the eyes; and photokeratitis, sometimes called snow blindness, which is a temporary but painful sunburn of the eye’s surface.” They recommend practical over fashionable sunglasses. For more information on what to look for while shopping for sunglasses search the AOA website. Many people realize that their skin needs protection from the sun, but they neglect to protect their eyes. Putting sunglasses on can save your eyes from overexposure to the sun.

Name five items you would never forget to bring to the beach . . . go! Ok, I imagine that a towel and a beach ball were at the top of your list, and I hope sunscreen was too. In the hot summer months it’s easy to remember your sunscreen. What many people don’t realize is that it’s just as important in these late spring/early summer months to apply sunscreen before spending time outdoors. Where there is sun, there is UV radiation and it’s important to protect your skin against the harmful effects of over-exposure. Minimal sunburn is usually just a nuisance and disappears in a couple of days, but it’s also an indication that you should have applied more sunscreen. The Skin Cancer Foundation warns that, “One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.” Take preventative steps to deter becoming one in five. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends applying a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes before going outdoors and to continue applying sunscreen every two hours of sun exposure. For more skin cancer prevention tips visit www.skincancer.org.

Don’t let the sun fool you. Wear your sunglasses and sunscreen whenever you spend time outdoors!

Posted By National Wellness Institute, Saturday, May 01, 2010
Updated: Friday, December 28, 2012

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Meet WellAdvantage’s Vice President of Operations Bonnie Monroe

Published by in Corporate Wellness on June 17th, 2014

WellAdvantage VP of OperationsVice President of Operations Bonnie Monroe brings nearly 23 years of experience in human resources to her role at WellAdvantage. She has worked in a wide range of industries, including telecommunications, aviation, international non-profit, and corporate wellness

Bonnie’s expertise includes executive-level operational leadership, organizational development, strategic planning, organizational risk assessment, IT systems oversight, human resources development, human capital management and employee development and training.

Since joining WellAdvantage in February 2013, she has been primarily focused on the development of organizational and infrastructure advancement through systems, processes and human resources.

Bonnie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Baltimore.  Her passion is facilitating collaborative decision-making and coaching.

What is Your State of Mind Today?

Published by in Corporate Wellness on May 27th, 2014

Physical health is often the focus when discussing health and well-being. Exercise and healthy eating are frequent priorities, but when does mental health receive attention? Professor Barbara Sahakian from the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine recommends mental health be a priority similar to physical health to decrease mental disorders.

An estimated 25 percent of adults experience a mental condition each year—a large portion of the disorders stemming from depression and anxiety. Maintaining brain health is important to decrease psychological health risks as well as improve well-being. If mental disorders go untreated, conditions can worsen and become more difficult to treat. While physical activity has benefits on cognition and physical health, being aware of one’s mental health is important to maintain psychological well-being.

Regularly reflecting on one’s overall health can decrease the incidence of mental disorders and help an individual to recognize when certain dimensions of wellness need more focus. Setting aside time every month to journal, meditate, or contemplate the current state of individual mental health can prevent conditions before other aspects of life are affected.

A few symptoms of mental disorders can include extreme mood changes, excessive anger, feelings of sadness, and changes in eating habits. For more information on signs and symptoms of mental disorders, visit the Mayo Clinic website.

While only health professionals can give a diagnosis of mental disorders, review this overview on depression from the Mayo Clinic to help understand mood symptoms and options for treatment.

Posted By National Wellness Institute, Friday, March 01, 2013
Updated: Thursday, February 28, 2013

Article by Kelli Oligney, Associate Editor

Reference: Maul, G. (February 17, 2013). Get your brain fit. Bio-Medicine. Retrieved on February 18, 2013, from http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news-1/Get-your-brain-fit-100293-1

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Meet WellAdvantage’s Director of Coaching Programs Sherry Del Giorno

Published by in Corporate Wellness on May 20th, 2014

Sherry Del Giorno, CHC, CPT, is a director of coaching programs at WellAdvantage where she trains coaches through the WellAdvantage Coaching Institute. She co-created this evidence-based training program with Liz Clark, her WellAdvantage colleague, and enjoys teaching other wellness professionals how to motivate and inspire others. Ms. Del Giorno obtained her health coach certification through the American Council of Exercise (ACE) and her wellness coach certification from WellAdvantage, Inc.

Director Coaching ProgramMs. Del Giorno is a Certified Personal Trainer with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). As an American Academy of Health and Fitness (AAHF) Senior Fit Personal Trainer, she works with seniors and recognizes the importance of health, nutrition and fitness to maintain and improve one’s quality of life. She is also an American Lung Association-certified Freedom From Smoking® Facilitator and is currently working on a nutrition certification through ACE.

In addition to overseeing the coaching staff, Ms. Del Giorno engages in both individual and group coaching relationships. She enjoys helping individuals make life-changing wellness choices and the dimension of group dynamics where people empower each other.

Ms. Del Giorno is also a health educator for WellAdvantage and makes presentations on nutrition, fitness, stress, smoking cessation and behavior modification topics.

Ms. Del Giorno received a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware, with a concentration in nutrition. In the community, she spent 12 years as a campaign manager for a state delegate and served many years in the local school board, PTA’s and curriculum councils.

Active in the Stephen Ministry, Ms. Del Giorno has extensive training as a Christian caregiver  and serves as a leader in Bible studies and other activities at her local church. In this role as a Christian caregiver, she is inspired to see how reliance on faith can help people journey through difficult times. She also integrates the power of one’s faith into behavior modification and trains other health and wellness coaches how to incorporate faith components into their coaching.

Ms. Del Giorno resides in Eldersburg, Md., with her husband of 30 years. They have three grown daughters and a son-in-law. She enjoys playing tennis, golf, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

WellAdvantage Online makes employee health education easy and accessible

Published by in Corporate Wellness, Fitness, Health, Nutrition on May 6th, 2014

For companies participating in WellAdvantage’s Employee-Driven Preventive Health Programs, the WellAdvantage Online Web portal provides a host of tools designed to assist individuals in monitoring their health. The portal also tracks individual wellness-related activities and keeps employees up to date on company health-related events.

Access to the secure portal is provided to employees. Individuals then set up their accounts using a confidential user name and password.

Just by logging onto WellAdvantage Online, employees can:

  • Download the wellness mobile app
  • Connect a FitBit® device
  • Look at their individual biometric results
  • Use health tools, such as food and exercise planners and logs
  • Register for events
  • Talk to a coach, dietician, or personal trainer
  • Track their individual incentive points

In addition to these great features, the portal displays real time company-wide health challenge statistics and offers a complete health library with videos, recipes and quick links to valuable resources.

Companies interested in establishing a Web portal for their employees can learn more at: https://www.welladvantage.com/services/web-platform/

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Meet WellAdvantage’s Director of Coaching Programs Liz Clark

Published by in Corporate Wellness on April 24th, 2014

WellAdvantage Director of CoachingLiz Clark, CHC, RYT, is a director of coaching programs at WellAdvantage. Ms. Clark obtained her health coach certification through the American Council on Exercise and her wellness coach certification through WellAdvantage, Inc. She is also a certified American Lung Association Freedom from Smoking Facilitator.

Passionate about wellness, Ms. Clark has dedicated her career to helping others be their happiest and healthiest.  She understands how empowering it is to work with clients, and is committed to helping individuals realize their vision of becoming their best selves.

In addition to working with clients, Ms. Clark trains coaches through the WellAdvantage Coaching Institute, a training program she created in collaboration with her WellAdvantage co-director, Sherry Del Giorno. She is excited to nurture other health and wellness specialists through their process of professional growth.

Ms. Clark has a long history of guiding others in their health and wellness journey In addition to health coaching, she has been teaching yoga for nearly 15 years. A certified yoga instructor , she was trained by the internationally renowned YogaKids Intl, Inc.™ and the Yoga Center of Columbia, Md.  Registered with the Yoga Alliance, Ms. Clark teaches a wide range of classes for children and adults, and specializes in using yoga as a catalyst for creating positive changes in life.

Bridging her two areas of interest and expertise, Ms. Clark is currently developing a yoga, meditation and breath-work series designed to work in conjunction with a smoking cessation program. This cutting-edge project is evidence based and experiential in nature. Ms. Clark and her WellAdvantage colleague Cathy Rees are tracking data on the effectiveness of the program and hope to present research on the topic next year.

Ms. Clark also has 25 years of marketing experience in the health and wellness industry.  Working as director of marketing for the Council for Relationships in Philadelphia, she gained a broad range of experience from website design to advertising to program management. She also marketed her own yoga business for many years.

Married for 23 years with a daughter in college, Ms. Clark resides in Sykesville, Md.  When she is not working with clients, she enjoys dancing, singing, water recreation, and spending time with family and friends.

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