Miami University recently received Silver recognition among large employers in the Healthy Worksite Recognition Program from the Healthy Business Council of Ohio (HBCO).

Based on workplace benefits and wellbeing, the program identifies employers with a demonstrated commitment to employee wellbeing through comprehensive worksite health promotion and wellness programs.

Natalie Skoumbros, Miami’s director of Benefits Services in the Office of Human Resources Management, noted support from university leadership was instrumental in earning the HBCO distinction.

“In any successful wellness program, you need to have leadership buy-in, and Miami has that from all the way up top,” Skoumbros said. “Knowing these programs are so supported by leadership provides a great example to our faculty, staff and students.”

Miami’s partnership with TriHealth, which operates Student Health Services and the Employee Health Center, the Recreational Sports Center, and programs like Healthy Miami are among the initiatives that helped the university achieve a high score.

Skoumbros said that having access to these benefits and more serve as a boost for physical and mental wellbeing.

“The umbrella of wellbeing is not just physical: It’s physical, mental, and social,” Skoumbros said. “What my office does is try to help employees have better experiences in these areas.”

Miami was in the large employer category for organizations with 1,001 or more employees. The HBCO Healthy Worksite Recognition Program honors efforts that improve overall employee health, enhance productivity, and ensure a healthy work environment.

Many of the benchmarks focused on promotion, participation, utilization, and strategy.

“It was pretty vast,” Skoumbros said. “It sparked a lot of exciting ideas for myself and my team.

“This honor is celebrating the hard work that the staff and faculty have done in regard to health and wellness at Miami. There are a lot of great things going on that we’re very passionate about and we are excited for what the future holds in this space.”

Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg.