Virgin HealthMiles is pleased to announce the 2009 Eye on Wellness award recipients.

The Eye on Wellness awards recognize both an organization and an individual who’ve shown to be outstanding wellness advocates and excellent role models for others.

Congratulations to NW Natural

a Portland, Oregon-based utility company with a cutting-edge approach to wellness. They’ve mastered how to engage their employees in staying healthy and know the impact prevention has on employee health and healthcare costs.

NW Natural is an innovator in tackling rising healthcare costs head on through prevention. The company has been rewarding employees who participate in their Virgin HealthMiles wellness program with up to $500 a year—“like little savings accounts,” says the company’s Senior HR Consultant, Tina Freel. So far, it’s worked. In just one year, 41% of NW Natural’s employees participate in the program and the company has seen a 25% increase in inactive employees becoming active.

Yet it’s the company’s creativity and inspiration that really sets NW Natural apart. NW Natural’s HR team launched an “Executives vs. Employees” challenge designed to get employees and executives alike to use pedometers to increase and track their daily activity. The goal? Rack up as many steps as possible in one week. 65% of NW Natural’s employees joined in and the executives won the challenge! As the buzz about the wellness program and morale took off, the company’s wellness culture strengthened —both in the field and at corporate headquarters. Considering that NW Natural has 13 different locations, and comprises both union and non-union workers, this was quite a feat. These grassroots events are contributing to a greater goal. The company is now tracking the correlations between wellness programs and healthcare costs, and is optimistic that there will be a positive impact.

“Wellness and prevention just makes sense. It’s really a win-win for employees to be healthier and productive, and our employees have really embraced the Virgin HealthMiles program. We think we’re doing the right thing.” - Tina Freel

Congratulations to Walter Glover

Wally atop Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania a 61-year-old HealthMiles member from Indiana, who has proven that his own efforts to stay active and fit can inspire a whole community.

There’s no doubt that Wally Glover loves being active. An avid cyclist, runner, and hiker, Wally has previously competed in a variety of fitness events, including 50 mini marathons and a trek up to Mt. Everest base camp. Concerned about the growing childhood obesity epidemic, Wally created an initiative called “Trek for Kids.” From June 12th-18th, Wally trekked up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa – the world’s highest free-standing mountain – to raise money to benefit pediatric programming through the St. Vincent Jennings Hospital Foundation, specifically those programs focused on childhood obesity.

Wally also rallied support from his co-workers and hosted the “Wally vs. World” challenge with fellow St. Vincent employees. During his trek, folks from St. Vincent showed support for Wally by stepping up their activity in the challenge. As a HealthMiles member, Wally is using the program’s tools to track his activity and has pledged to donate the rewards he earns over the next year to the St. Vincent Jennings Hospital Foundation.

“This climb is dedicated to serve as a source of inspiration for all those involved in the St. Vincent Jennings Pediatric Obesity program. May they know hope, and may they know wellness, peace and joy.” – Wally Glover