Employer work site wellness event set

Ron Sims, chairman of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, will be the keynote speaker at the Healthiest Companies of Southwest Washington Awards reception this month.

In partnership with Clark County Public Health, the Vancouver Business Journal will host the awards event at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at Warehouse 23, 100 Columbia St., Ste. 102. Admission is $25. Breakfast is provided.

Sims will discuss how to reduce health care costs by investing in employee well-being, including measuring outcomes and the latest trends in work site wellness.

A King County executive from 1997 to 2009, Sims now serves on the Washington Health Alliance board of directors and Washington State University board of regents. He served as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development from 2009 to 2011.

The awards recognize employers that promote workforce health.

Award recipients, finalists and sponsors will showcase their practices during the reception.

Cyndie Meyer, Public Health’s chronic disease prevention program manager, said the event is a great way to learn from other area employers.

“From walking meetings to healthy food policies, local businesses are finding a variety of ways to make wellness a priority for their employees,” said Meyer.

The event also will highlight a new Clark County Worksite Wellness Network that can help businesses share information or get started on establishing worksite wellness programs.

“Many employers already know that healthy workers translate to less absenteeism, lower health benefit costs and improved worker satisfaction, recruitment and retention,” Meyer said. “However, not all employers know how to translate this knowledge into work site wellness efforts. This network is a great way to share best practices, help with wellness policies and start cultural changes.”

For more information on the Clark County Worksite Wellness Network, contact Cyndie Meyer at cyndie.meyer@clark.wa.gov.