Through the efforts of many staff members, Mercy Hospital in Iowa City has been designated a Blue Zones Worksite.

"The Blue Zones principles are consistent with Mercy’s mission to work to improve the health of the community," said Dena Brockhouse, Director of Human Resources. "Becoming a certified Blue Zones Worksite is one way to measure and reward the progress Mercy is achieving in creating an atmosphere that inspires, encourages and promotes well-being."

Mercy gained this recognition through the pledged support of more than 400 employees and by implementing 38 organization-wide Blue Zones pledge actions in the categories of Leadership, Purpose, Habitat/Physical Environment, Engagement/Creation of Social Networks, Policies and Benefits & Well-Being Solutions. Through these pledge actions, Mercy earned 78 of 117 possible points. Some of the pledge actions that enabled Mercy to achieve Blue Zones Worksite designation are:

• A free annual wellness screening for employees that provides financial incentives for reaching certain benchmarks

• Free educational programs for employees on topics that range from financial wellness to home safety to tools for healthy living
• New cafeteria offerings including a breakfast yogurt bar and a "Wellness Wednesday" lunch special
• Fresh Fruit Fridays, providing free pieces of fruit to employees on the last Friday of each month
• Calorie counts posted on cafeteria selections
• The input of an Employee Wellness Committee
• Mercy’s tobacco-free campus status

   

Mercy also provides wellness screening services to area employers. "We live wellness every day here," said Dena Brockhouse, "so we feel confident in providing these services to community employers."