RIT Earns Corporate Wellness Distinction

‌

Rochester Institute of Technology wins 2011 Wealth of Health awards

Rochester Institute of Technology is among 12 corporate winners of the 2011 Wealth of Health awards. RIT joins Coopervision Inc. and Eastman Kodak Co. for recognition in the 2,000 employees and up corporate category.

Winners were selected based on their efforts to encourage and support wellness among their employees. Now in its sixth year, the Wealth of Health awards program honors employers that foster a healthy workplace through a mix of programs and policies. It is co-sponsored by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and Rochester Business Journal. Honorees were judged based on the creativity of their initiatives, active participation, ability to measure improvements, sustainability and program results.

“RIT is a true leader when it comes to workplace wellness,” says Renee Brownstein, RIT associate director for human resources. “We look at health and wellness from a holistic perspective and it is our goal to provide as many resources as possible that can positively impact our employees’ lifestyles. It’s exciting to witness the culture of RIT shifting in regards to campus wellness including noticeable changes in dining halls, cafeterias and catering, as well the creation of the campus’ Farmers Market and Community Garden. None of this would be possible without the strong support of the university’s senior leadership.”

RIT’s “umbrella of wellness” includes wellness coaching as the cornerstone to help employees develop their own personal wellness plan and adopt healthier lifestyles. On-site wellness coaches are available to all employees free of charge as an effort to provide the skills to make permanent behavior changes. More than 40 fitness classes are also offered each quarter. Other non-traditional wellness offerings include gardening for wellness, smoking cessation classes through the Student Health Center, personal training, nutritional counseling and chair massages.

Award results were listed in the April 15 edition of Rochester Business Journal.