ITHACA — Cornell University was recently selected as a gold-level recipient of the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Fit-Friendly Worksites recognition program, according to a Cornell Chronicle news release.
The association honors employers who support the health of their employees through innovative approaches to healthy lifestyle changes.
Gold-level recipients offer employees physical-activity support, increase healthy eating options at work, and promote a wellness culture in the workplace, the release stated.
Beth McKinney, director of Cornell Wellness, attributed Cornell’s selection by the AHA to the wellness options it provides to staff and faculty. These include offering employees free physical-activity consultations, walking maps and online workout programs; healthy eating options at on-campus eateries and vending machines; promoting a wellness culture by promoting fitness, nutrition, and wellbeing; and implementing at least nine AHA criteria in the areas of physical activity, nutrition, and culture.
“Our 2015 activity contest, ‘Go-Go-Go 1-5-0,’ played a major part in this application,” said McKinney. “I think our creative approach to blending ‘worksite’ and ‘wellness’ is resulting in happier, healthier employees.”