Sacred Heart named healthiest county workplace for sixth year

UnitedHealthcare Senior Account Executive Anthony Aguanno, SHU Director of Employee Benefits Elizabeth Henderson, SHU HR Project Manager Sally Schettino, Neil Garland of Aetna, SHU Executive Director for Human Resources Julia Nofri and First Niagara Risk Management, Inc., Marketing Manager Lauren Cimino. Photo courtesy Sacred heart University

For six years in a row, Sacred Heart University in Fairfield has been recognized by the Business Council of Fairfield County as the county’s healthiest place to work.

The university was recognized for the level of health services it provides its 1,300 full- and part-time employees under its wellness program.

Under the program, the university provides its staff with a financial incentive for eligible employees who complete a university-sponsored biometric screening and an online health assessment.

The university helps its employees maintain healthy lifestyles with on-site fitness classes; discounts at local fitness centers; and an annual health fair for faculty, staff, students and family members with free flu shots, health screenings, and healthy cooking demonstrations.

The wellness program also provides free coaching for faculty and staff members to help with stress management, weight loss, smoking cessation and heart health.

With support from First Niagara and UnitedHealthcare of Connecticut, Inc., the business council recognized 49 local organizations this year for their commitment to employee health.

“As I have been involved with this program since its inception, I continue to be impressed with the level of commitment these companies have devoted to wellness within their workplaces,” said Mathew Fair, co-chair of the council”™s 2016 Healthy Workplaces Employer Recognition Program and first vice president of First Niagara Risk Management, Inc. “Regardless of company size, these honorees have used innovative approaches to not just engage, but to measure the effectiveness of their programs over the long term.”