DEC RECEIVES ‘WELLNESS CHAMPION AWARD’

State department achieved highest cumulative score in three wellness categories

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) received the “Wellness Champion Award” in the Working for a Healthier Tennessee initiative competition.

The competition, which stems from the Healthier Tennessee initiative created by Governor Bill Haslam, was created to encourage State employees to actively take part in setting a positive example for Tennesseans in the area of health and wellness.

“Competition among our departmental Wellness Councils was spirited,” said Paige Turner, director of the State’s Wellness Program. “TDEC has been exceptional in finding ways to promote health and wellness activities in support of the Working for a Healthier Tennessee initiative. TDEC was honored as the first recipient of the initiative’s ‘Overall Achievement’ award because of their creativity and all of the activities they have undertaken in helping their employees lead healthier, more productive lives,” Turner added.

TDEC earned the highest recognition based on accumulating the most wellness points, which were earned by hosting wellness fairs, creating newsletters, sponsoring Wellness Wednesdays featuring Lunch and Learns, and establishing walking groups across the state. A total of 25 departments participated in the program.

“We are honored to receive this award from the Working for a Healthier Tennessee initiative,” said TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau. “This award is a positive milestone in our ongoing effort to make TDEC a healthy working environment.”

The Working for a Healthier Tennessee initiative is a long-term initiative designed to give workplaces the tools and support they need to lead healthier lives. Each quarter, TDEC and other organizations had the chance to participate in an online wellness challenge. An appointed wellness leader in each organization would send periodic communications with ideas, inspirations, challenges and even a little friendly competition. Employees have the ability to track their own success using confidential online tools.

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