August 21, 2015

Vanderbilt named ‘healthiest employer’ for sixth consecutive year

Vanderbilt has been recognized by the “Nashville Business Journal” as the Healthiest Employer of Nashville in the division for organizations with more than 500 employees. The recognition marks the sixth time in the six-year history of the award that Vanderbilt has won.

Vanderbilt University and Medical Center has been named the Healthiest Employer in Nashville for the sixth year. (Vanderbilt University)

Vanderbilt University and Medical Center has been recognized by the Nashville Business Journal as the Healthiest Employer of Nashville in the division for organizations with more than 500 employees.

The recognition marks the sixth time in the six-year history of the award that Vanderbilt has won, this year beating out other large local employers such as Dollar General Corporation and Healthways.

Lori Rolando, assistant professor of clinical medicine and medical director of Vanderbilt’s Health Plus; Brad Awalt, manager of Health Plus in the Department of Wellness Administration; and the entire Health Plus team were on hand to receive the award Aug. 18 at a health fair and luncheon held at Nashville’s Omni Hotel.

“Health Plus was honored to accept the Healthiest Employer award on Vanderbilt’s behalf. It is a testament to the culture of wellness that Vanderbilt’s leadership has fostered and that faculty and staff have so enthusiastically embraced,” Awalt said. “We are thankful to everyone for their continued participation in Health Plus and all of Health and Wellness’ programs.”

Finalists for the Healthiest Employer of Nashville award were chosen by Indianapolis-based Healthiest Employers LLC, which reviewed nominees with the help of experts such as Ph.D.s, M.D.s, CEOs and human resources directors from across the United States.

Criteria for the award include cultural commitment, foundational components, strategic planning, programming and intervention, and reporting and analysis.

To be eligible, companies needed to have an office in the 10-county Metro Nashville area with five or more full-time employees.