SMCC is taking a proactive approach to healthcare for their employees. Last May they started a wellness program that encouraged employees to incorporate fitness into their day, make better food choices and take control of their body.

According to Elizabeth Davis, the program administrator, everyone wins with a wellness program. As employees increase physical activity and improve their diet, they decrease their risks of disease, improve their overall work performance and maintain a positive social environment in the workplace. "It decreases sick leave, boosts morale, and reduces insurance costs," said Davis.

Using activity guidelines from the US Department of Health and Human Services, they created a reward system based on how much and how intense the activity in which participants engaged. For every 10,000 steps a day or weekly participation in 200 minutes of mild, 150 minutes of moderate, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity they earn 10 points.  They also accumulate points by joining fitness events like the March of Dimes and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. When they earn 500 points and reach six months of participation, they receive $100 or an iPod Nano. At the end of the year, those who accumulate 1,500 points, and have remained active in the program will have the option of receiving a new Hewlett Packard laptop computer as their reward.

The program is managed by an internal committee who recruits employees and helps track their progress. Participants received a health assessment, which included a physical, measuring height, weight, BMI, body percent fat, waist circumference, and glucose and lipid levels. "We found participants who had diabetes and high cholesterol levels that had not been previously diagnosed with those problems." said Davis.

CEO of SMCC, Jeff Griffin said they were also concerned about the threat of disease for their employees and incorporated preventative information into their program. "Having the knowledge of what triggers disease, showing people what habits can impact their health, is something they carry with them for life."

SMCC made sure their employees had the tools they needed to work the program, even giving away pedometers and stocking vending machines with better food choices. By posting signs throughout the clinic halls, they created an internal walking track that spans a quarter of a mile. They also provide free YMCA membership to all employees and take the time to educate participants at their Lunch and Learn meetings. 

Davis said by keeping track of their progress, they've managed to have some fun with the program. "I tracked who had the most number of steps and called them the ‘high steppers'.  I then shared with all employees through a newsletter, how they managed to walk the extra mile. Some reached 20,000 steps while on a hike or endless day of shopping.  It's been very motivational and people are taking pride in this. We're seeing people encourage each other and work together. We're very proud of what people are doing."

Over half of their employees signed up and Griffin said they saw enthusiasm quickly. "The excitement has been contagious from the beginning. I think everyone was ready for this program."

Results are pouring in. They're losing weight, lowering cholesterol, and getting to know each other a little better as they help each other out. According to Davis, twenty four employees have completed six months in the program and reached 500 points. Another fourteen will reach their goal next month, with fifty-one who are actively stepping up to that level of achievement.   In December they will reassess participants' progress. "I think they're going to be surprised. With waist line circumference being related to metabolic syndrome and higher body fat percent levels linked to heart disease, I think we're going to see improvement in those health parameters."

 Ellen Standridge who works in administration talked about her results with the program. "I used to work for a school in accounting and I was on my feet more than I am now where everything is at my desk. I started gaining weight but signing up for the program gave me the incentive to change the way I was doing things. Now when I have paperwork to give someone, I deliver it to people instead of emailing it. I still snack but I'm not eating the junk I did before. I've lost more weight than I gained and my outlook on everything is just better," said Standridge who also expects to see lower cholesterol levels at her next assessment in December.

Jeff Griffin said he was pleased with the physicians on the clinic's executive committee who decided to pursue a wellness program over other agendas. "They didn't even think twice when presented with this. The health of their employees was more important than anything else. I think it's a testament to our physicians who put the health of their employees first. That's a good feeling."