HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAM FOR GRACE COTTAGE EMPLOYEES

Walkers (l. to r.) Dr. Elizabeth Linder, Lorraine Gleason, Tim McNulty,
Jan Thomas & Al LaRochelle

Grace Cottage Hospital is one of 32 businesses in the state participating in the Vermont Worksite Wellness Project, a collaboration between BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont and the University of Vermont.

“Out of about 132 Grace Cottage employees who were eligible to be part of this study, 72 signed up” said Tim McNulty, Human Resources Director at Grace Cottage. “That’s the highest participation rate of any of the companies in Vermont that are involved.”

Grace Cottage was selected to embark upon the “altered worksite setting” approach during this 24-month study, which includes the addition of healthy choices in the lunchroom, signage promoting healthy activities, and noontime walking (most employees are wearing pedometers and attempting to walk at least 10,000 steps per day). Participating employees will be measured every 6 months for cholesterol, blood pressure, weight and Body-Mass Index. Human Resources Director Tim McNulty is coordinating the program with help from Jan Thomas, Cindy Sweeney and Dr. Moss Linder.

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