SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., - Regional West Medical Center was recently awarded the Well Workplace Gold Award by Wellness Councils of America. After successfully meeting rigorous health promotion standards and demonstrating a commitment to improving the health and well-being of its most valuable asset - its employees, Regional West was awarded the top Well Workplace award in the state. Only two other Nebraska organizations, Central Community College-Hastings and Hastings College, were chosen to receive a Well Workplace designation.

“The wellness program staff and committee are very pleased to be part of the recognition of Regional West Health Service’s commitment to promoting employee health,” said Lynn Macken, RN, MSN, cardiac rehab coordinator. “This is one small step towards containing rising health care costs through encouraging healthy lifestyle choices for our employees, and their families.”

Regional West has offered an incentive-based wellness program to its employees for over 10 years and has already scheduled health screenings to begin the 2007 wellness program. Health screenings provide blood pressure, height, weight, and blood cholesterol and glucose lab results. In addition to the health risk appraisal, employees receive a suggested action plan to help them improve or maintain their health. Regional West employees who track their participation, such as exercise, spiritual practices or health education lectures, receive incentives such as small health-related items and are eligible for a cash incentive at the end of the year.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,400 employees, provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, we offer care that spans more than 40 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and is one of only three Level II Trauma Centers in the state of Nebraska.