For Immediate Release
Activity and involvement leads to Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Healthy Workplace Award
An incredible program of activities and staff involvement resulted in the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital receiving the 2006 Healthy Workplace Initiative Award presented annually by the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta.
The award was presented to the Glenrose in May at the Psychologists’ Association annual awards banquet. “It is not often that we see an organization with such a comprehensive program dedicated to improving the quality of life within the workplace as we have seen at the Glenrose” says Dr. Stephen Carter, President of the Psychologists’ Association.
Capital Health’s Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital (GRH) initiated their Staff Healthy Active Living Project in 2003. Since that time, the program has involved hundreds of staff in lunch-and-learn about healthy living sessions, on-site exercise and fitness through their own GRH Staff Fitness Co-op, healthy food choices at the Glenrose Bistro, intramural volleyball, and working with Capital Health to install over-head lifting mechanisms to minimize staff injury when moving patients. In addition, Capital Health has established a special awards program to recognize leadership, innovation, teamwork, customer service, quality and safety, and achievement of performance excellence.
“Everyone at the Glenrose loves our three-pronged approach – health and safety, social environment and lifestyle,” says Isabel Henderson, Senior Operating Officer at the Glenrose. “Since we started, we gauge that over 90 per cent of staff have participated in one or all of these areas. One of the keys to our success is undertaking activities in a social atmosphere – where people can relax, appreciate one another, and enjoy participation.
“The net result is people who are happier and healthier both at work and at home – and there is no stopping them now!”
Another highlight of the Glenrose program was participation in a Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous walk and run. One hundred and forty participants walked the one-kilometer route marked out by the Glenrose Healthy Active Living Committee. That led to a weekly one-kilometer walking program.
“Fortunately we are seeing a strengthening trend as more and more employers are recognizing the value of active and healthy workplaces. Healthy workplaces are becoming known as good for business. Employees that are happy and healthy are far more productive in all phases of their lives,” adds Dr. Carter.
“In the long-term, the members of the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta would like to see every place of employment become involved in healthy workplace initiatives. Experience shows that within organizations that do, absenteeism is reduced, teamwork is enhanced and productivity is improved. From a society perspective there is less stress on the health care system and less family crisis—everybody wins,” concludes Dr. Carter.
- 30 -
For further information:
Dr. Stephen Carter
President
(780) 424-0123
Isabel Henderson
Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital
(780) 735-7984
