In a year that has included accolades, recognition, and its centennial celebration, Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) added another honor in 2022. The University has been named “Gold Level Healthy KC Certified” for 2022-23, which recognizes its status as one of the healthiest workplaces in Kansas City. The honor was given by the KC Workplace Wellness Action Team, a division of the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.
Along with its partner, Blue Cross Blue Shield, the action team works to recognize entities for “innovation and excellence in promoting a culture of health in the workplace.” Certification is earned in various levels, and is based on the five pillars of health: healthy eating, active living, tobacco cessation, work-life integration, and design-built environment. Organizations apply for certification and receive their ranking based on their efforts in those five pillars.
The CUKC administration has had a commitment to health for several years, but the certification criteria changed slightly from years past. This year the Action Team chose to follow the World Health Organization’s model of health, as it offered an approach to health and wellness that was somewhat more holistic. In addition, it was thought that it followed a more universal, best practices standard adopted by businesses globally.
According to the Action Team, during the challenges of the last two years, workplaces began to realize and better appreciate the holistic approach when supporting employees, and attempting to keep them involved with their health and wellness journey. This perspective aligns closely with the goals of Healthy KC so they chose to incorporate some of those elements.
Dr. Dale Marrant, vice president of human resources and organizational development at the University, said the institution is honored to be acknowledged.
“CUKC is pleased to again be recognized as one of Kansas City’s healthiest workplaces,” Marrant said. “We are committed to offering workplace health programming that helps meet employees where they are in their individual health journeys, and to celebrate our individual and collective successes.”
CUKC has been Healthy KC Certified each year since 2016.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up