Center Recognized for Living the Balanced Life

 

From the snacks in our lunchroom to the support of our colleagues, we have a healthy dose of proof that The Center is a fit place to work. The American Heart Association has named us as a Fit-Friendly Worksite for the 7^th year running! The credit for the award and recognition goes to Center team members who routinely make health and wellness a priority in their lives.

It all started back in 2007 when Jen Hackmann came up with the idea of a committee focused on health at our Annual Retreat. Firm leaders loved the idea because it dovetails with our firm vision of creating a worksite environment that encourages and fosters healthier and more balanced living. Our current Health & Wellness Committee is comprised of Jennie Bauder, Gerri Harmer, and Kali Hassinger. Our health and wellness efforts continue to reduce stress, facilitate greater well-being and encourage camaraderie.

We spread the fit mentality by bringing in professional speakers, a personal trainer, and a massage therapist. Quarterly luncheons promote team members to share goals and achievements and increase social interaction and support with colleagues. We currently have 2 teams and have friendly competitions to increase our physical activity. Our Center shopper, Angie Palacios, assists us by purchasing healthier snack options that are available in our lunchroom. Our lunch coordinator, Gerri Harmer, helps us choose healthier options for our staff lunches. To keep the energy levels up, and activity levels high we encourage walking, stretch breaks and flex time.

Center team members are encouraged to contribute ideas for promoting a healthier and more supportive environment. We look for ways to reduce stress in the workplace and provide tools for effectively dealing with stressful situations. Our most important asset and tool we have in promoting a culture of health is our staff. Living the balanced life value is vital to maintaining and improving our work environment and our wellness program.

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Center Honored as one of Michigan's Healthiest Employers

 

We’ve been eating our veggies and squeezing in our workouts and we have the abs … or rather the award to prove it.  The Center was recognized as one of Michigan’s Healthiest Employers for the second consecutive year.  Honorees were chosen from employers across Michigan whose policies and programs promote a healthy workforce.  The statewide program is sponsored by Priority Health, Crain’s Detroit Business and MiBiz with one simple goal: To showcase how companies are using wellness programs to make a positive impact on their employees’ lives – both at work and at home.

A focus on wellness is part of The Center culture and has been an ongoing initiative since 2007.  Planner Laurie Renchik says, “Everyone gets involved in one way or another, either taking ownership in planning activities, supporting ongoing programs or lending a helping hand and encouraging others to participate.”

Winners were chosen in two regions and five categories based on the number of employees.  The Center took honors in the Metro Detroit region in the 5 to 99 employee category.

The project was sponsored by Priority health, data was collected by Indianapolis based Healthiest Employer LLC.  Crain’s Detroit Business and MiBiz produced the promotional supplement as media sponsors of the project.  

Center Honored as one of Michigan's Healthiest Employers

 The Center was honored as one of Michigan’s Healthiest Employers.   The inaugural award recognizes companies that show examples of innovative programs that had an impact on both the wellness of the employees but also productivity for the companies.  

Center Planner Laurie Renchik, CFP® says, “Our Health & Wellness program has been going strong since 2007 and we are proud to share our success story with others. The credit for the award and recognition goes to Center team members who make health and wellness a priority in their lives.” 

Winners were chosen from the Metro Detroit area based on the number of global employees.  The Center took honors in the 5-99 employee category.

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The project was sponsored by Priority Health; data was collected by Indianapolis-based Healthiest Employer LLC. Crain's Detroit Business and MiBiz produced this promotional supplement as media sponsors of the project.

Sandy Adams Attends Inaugural Alzheimer's Conference

 Sandy Adams, CFP® represented the Center as a sponsor of the first annual Alzheimer’s conference on November 1, 2012.  The conference, a collaborative conference put on by the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Michigan Chapter and the Wayne State University Institute of Gerontology, was put on for an audience of health care professionals and caregivers. 

This year’s conference, entitled “A Meaningful Life with Alzheimer’s Disease” brought highly recognized speakers to discuss issues such as person centered care, financial capacity and vulnerability and pain management. Well over 200 participants attended the first annual conference.  Sandy has been invited to be a part of the planning committee for the 2013 conference.

Check Out My New Stand Up Desk!

I recently discovered that using a stand up desk option periodically throughout the day is just what I needed to stay productive and reduce my sitting time during the workday.   Wow, why didn’t I think of this sooner!

Things I like about having a standing desk

• The option to stand up without disrupting productivity or thought process
• Increased alertness and focus; especially during longer duration projects
• More focus on posture and core strength while standing v. sitting
• The opportunity to burn more calories than sitting – definite plus!
• Medical research suggests that getting up from your desk chair and standing for a period     of time is beneficial for overall health – another check in the plus column!

Two tips I learned from experience

• Invest in an anti-fatigue mat to cushion your feet and make standing easier on your body
• Ask an ergonomics expert to help you get set up correctly

Incorporating a stand up desk option into my office space has been a welcome addition - one which I am sure to enjoy for many years to come!

5 Years and Running! The Center Remains Fit-Friendly

 The Center has recently been recognized for the 5^th consecutive year by the American Heart Association as a Fit-Friendly Worksite.  The credit for the award and recognition goes to Center team members who routinely make health and wellness a priority in their lives. Kudos and Congrats to all!   

Leading balanced lives is a core value Center team members aspire to and health and wellness is an important aspect of balance in life.  Health & Wellness Committee member and Client Service Manager Jennie Bauder said, “the AHA Platinum Award is displayed in a common area of The Center and it symbolizes our commitment to everyday healthy habits.” Here are some of the healthy habits practiced in our workplace that helped achieve American Heart Association recognition: 

• Physical activity options are available during the workday
• Healthy eating options are provided in the office lunch area
• Intentional focus on wellness as part of our culture

Gerri Harmer, Client Service Assistant, has been a Health & Wellness Committee member since day one.  She added, “ I am energized by the positive impact our program has on my colleagues and look forward to bringing new ideas to the group for 2013.”

Angela Palacios Training for Not 1, but 3 Triathlons!

What was I thinking? CFP Angela Palacios, our Portfolio Coordinator, makes a commitment to healthy living that has her diving into a summer of triathlons.

Summers are my favorite time of year.  My family and I are fortunate enough to have a pool in our backyard and a great place for a summer BBQ with our friends…unfortunately, we have a great place for summer BBQs with our friends.  That means there is always a party and reason to celebrate with chips, meat, desserts and beer at our house!  This invariably ends up in my clothes fitting a bit snugly come September.

Well, this year I decided no more!  So instead of just deciding to cut back on indulging so much each weekend, like a normal person would do, I decided to commit to doing 3 sprint triathlons this summer (.5 mile swim, 12 mile bike and 3.1 mile run).  Since I have never done anything like this in my life, I’m still not sure what I was thinking but after several months I have learned how to swim (other than just floating around on a pool toy), ride a bike (which I haven’t done for over 20 years), and run (which I have never been a big fan of).  After logging 12.4 miles in the pool, 163 miles on my bike and 48 miles on foot so far in training, I feel as though I may actually be able to do this. 

My first triathlon is June 20^th at Island Lake Recreation Area and my ONLY goal for the first one is to finish. We’ll see after that if I set any more lofty goals for the next two in July and August. 

Hopefully at the end of all this I will be in better shape at the end of the summer than I am now and will be setting a great example for my daughter Lilly that you can truly do anything you set your mind to!

Center Wellness Goes Viral

From stretch breaks in the middle of business meetings to fresh fruit deliveries to the office, from walking meetings on the nature trail to healthy options in the break room, we take wellness pretty seriously. In fact, we’re even taking it to YouTube.   Workplace wellness programs provide the access, opportunity, support and encouragement for all employees to actively participate in improving their health.  What exactly is workplace wellness at The Center?  It starts with a core value that supports work/life balance. This important firm value is our springboard.   Our program is built on the following foundation:  

• Create an employee driven Wellness Committee
• Identify Center team members who are either mentors or champions for healthy activities
• Conduct a needs and interest survey
• Post healthy tips on a bulletin board
• Promote messages from national health organizations
• Provide workshops on relaxation, stress management, exercise, nutrition, and work/life balance topics

Our first priority is to create a healthy environment for Center team members.  But in pursuit of our goal with innovative programs and employee engagement, we attracted the attention of the Blue Care Network Healthy Blue Living marketing group.  They liked what we were doing so much that the interviewed several team members including Gerri Harmer, Jennie Bauder, Tim Wyman, Troy Wyman and Laurie Renchik.  The YouTube videos they created will help spread the word about some of the successful programs we support.   Promoting work/life balance for all Center team members is a goal we take seriously!

Health & Wellness Update

Move over Souper Thursdays . . . . here come Thursday Treats!  With warm weather on tap for spring it’s time for a change to something a bit lighter and cooler.  Souper Thursdays will get set aside until next year when cooler temperatures return.  Thursday Treats are all about keeping it healthy with fruit smoothies and yogurt sundaes to start us out.  The Center will continue to follow our tradition of making donations to our favorite charities for the price of a treat.  We have recently added the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan to our list of beloved charities.

It’s also time for the Tuesday Tennies program to return.  When the sun is shining and the temperatures balmy many staff members enjoy a healthy 30 minute walk along our beautiful walkways on Tuesdays here at The Center.  It is common to see more and more neighboring offices joining in on the fun and exercise. 

Many Center staffers are gearing up for big plans this year.   We have some setting their sights on competing in their first Triathlon.   Others have made lifestyle changes geared to better health.  Some are becoming avid daily walkers; others have signed up for Zumba or Spinning classes for the first time.  It’s not uncommon to hear chatter about the office of who is going to be running in the next road race this weekend.  It seems almost everyone is doing something even if it’s just playing with the kids in the backyard.

Here is our quickest & most enjoyed smoothie recipe:

Approx. 1 ½ c of frozen fruit of choice

¼ c Vanilla Yogurt

Milk

Making a smoothie is as easy as placing 1 ½ cups of frozen fruit into a blender.  Add the vanilla yogurt and pour milk over the top until it comes to the top of the fruit and yogurt.  Blend.  You can adjust proportions according to your taste preferences!

Don’t forget to put your best foot forward for a healthy springtime season!

Healthcare Forecast Breakfast

The Center’s health and wellness initiatives were recently recognized at a Healthcare Forecast Breakfast sponsored by the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce.

Center Operations Manager Gregg Bloomfield was one of three panelists leading the healthcare and wellness discussion.  Panel members provided insights on how health care reform and wellness and employee benefit programs are shaping business today. 

After the event, Gregg commented, “Small businesses have particular challenges and opportunities in the area of employee healthcare.   I was pleased to share with this audience the inspiring results of our in-house health and wellness program. 

The Center team leadership has worked very effectively with our community partners -- American Heart Association and Blue Care Network – to improve overall wellness at our workplace.”

Center team members and friends in attendance included:  Sandy Adams, Gerri Harmer, Marilynn Levin, Laurie Renchik, Kimberly Wyman and Troy Wyman.