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Donna Marshall

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Mark your calendar now, as you have officially been invited to the highly anticipated eighth
annual Colorado Culture of Health™ Conference on April 9, 2015, at The Sheraton Downtown Denver Hotel.

This year’s event is destined to be the best by far, and conference organizers, which include the Colorado Business Group on Health (CBGH), expect a full house. This one-of-a-kind conference is designed to help employers provide value based benefits and health management programs to their employees.

“We are extending this open invitation to employers, wellness coordinators and anyone who is a champion for health and wellness,” noted Donna Marshall, MBA, executive director for CBGH, an innovative non-profit organization that educates Colorado employers about what truly matters in health care. “It is important that companies create incentives around wellness.”

This conference will give employers certain strategies to improve the health of their workers while reducing their overall healthcare costs. Wellness programs are one way to effectively improve employees’ health and simultaneously reduce associated health care costs. Statistically, a RAND study in 2013 reported that 85 percent of companies with 1,000 or more employees have wellness programs, but only 60 percent of employees in these companies are aware that their company offers such a program; only 40 percent of employees who are aware of the program actually participate in it. Essentially, only 24 percent of employees at companies that offer a wellness program participate in it.

Through this conference, CBGH hopes to educate employers on the benefits of building a culture of health for their employees and ways they can shift the culture of their worksite to promote employee health and well being. “Employers are becoming more actively involved in this matter, understanding that the health of their business truly relies on the health of their employees,” expressed Donna.

“When you have healthy employees, you have higher productivity and lower turnover. This conference is affordably priced so small businesses can come and learn about wellness programs that are perfect for their employees.”

Donna indicated that wellness programs have seen a huge burst in popularity over the last several years, and the CBGH is committed to providing information about affordable and accessible options for Colorado employers. Together with other employer organizations and not-for-profit groups, including but not limited to, Mountain States Employer Council, Colorado Prevention Alliance, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, CBGH has coordinated this conference to address wellness issues.

The one-day event includes three nationally recognized keynote speakers and 20 informative
and educational breakout sessions, including “whole health” topics on mindfulness, financial wellness, the effects of sleep deprivation, diabetes prevention, the value of happiness and how a sedentary lifestyle and reliance on high-sugar foods have created a diabetes and obesity crisis, among many other engaging and informative topics. “This is a great opportunity for a diverse group of individuals to share their knowledge and expertise,” stated Donna.

Dr. Roger C. Merrill, Chief Medical Officer of Perdue Farms, Inc., will speak about Health Delivery at an Enlightened Employer: It Can Be the Best of Times; Rosie Ward, PhD, MPH, MCHES, BCC and Certified Intrinsic Coach®, will discuss how to create a thriving workplace culture; and Tom Sondergeld, Senior Director of Health & Well-Being for Walgreens, will make a presentation on Wellness, Value Based Benefit Design and Retail Clinics.

To further add to the fun and excitement of the event, a special award will be presented at the conference. “The Governor’s Council will present the Governor’s Award for Worksite Wellness,” said Donna. From more than 60 applications, three finalists will be nominated by HealthLinks Colorado, a non-profit initiative at the Colorado School of Public Health that helps employers develop worksite wellness programs and certifies businesses that support and champion worker well-being and safety. The Governor’s Council will announce the company that will receive the top honor through its dedication and commitment to the well-being of their employees.

Donna is extremely excited about the conference for what it offers to employers and employees in Colorado. “It is fun to help people maintain a healthy lifestyle, and we enjoy seeing employers become more involved with not only the health of their business but also the health of their employees,” she smiled. “It is always exciting to see so many people who are energized about bringing a culture of health to the work site. This event keeps getting better and better year after year.” HLM

For more information and to register, go online. Continuing education credits for HRCI and the Division of Insurance are offered.