The city of Dalton was recognized for its efforts “in making extraordinary commitments to workplace health and wellness,” by the Whitfield Healthcare Foundation in announcing the recipient of the foundation’s Business Health Award.

The announcement was made at the recent 2007 Corporate Symposium.

The foundation’s Business Relations Committee developed the award in 1999 to recognize those companies that go one step above and beyond to ensure the health and well-being of their employees.

“We know that employer-related wellness initiatives help companies reduce long-term health costs, improve company morale, and lower absenteeism and we wanted to recognize the employers in our area who are dedicated and committed to promoting a healthier workforce,” said foundation chairman Scott Sellers.

Local employers in the community were given the opportunity to showcase the health and wellness programs that have been established within their organizations.

To qualify for the award, each company had to meet certain criteria, such as preventive screenings, walking and exercise clubs, lifestyle education programs and other health-related benefits and opportunities.

“The city of Dalton received the award because of their comprehensive wellness approach, providing an employee assistance program, discounted membership to the Bradley Center for Wellness, various health education classes including smoking cessation and nutrition classes for all city employees,” said Sellers.

“All city-owned buildings and facilities are smoke-free and a drug-free workplace is enforced including pre-employment drug testing and random employee drug testing.” “Participation in the city’s health plan is contingent upon completing a comprehensive health screening program and employees who fall in the ‘high risk’ category are placed in an intensive eight-week risk reduction class,” Sellers said.

“This year, the city had 99 percent participation in its health-screening program.”

The city joins past Business Health Award recipients Dalton Beverage Co. (2003), Dalton Utilities (2001), J&J Industries (2005), Lyle Industries (2001), Mohawk Industries (1999), and Shaw Industries (2003).

At the symposium, the foundation also paid special tribute to two former recipients of the Business Health Award, Shaw Industries and J&J Industries, for their outstanding committment and continued dedication to implementing new health and wellness initiatives to encourage a healthier work force.

The Whitfield Healthcare Foundation, an affiliate of Hamilton Health Care System, is a non-profit philanthropic organization whose primary mission is to encourage charitable gifts that support the mission of Hamilton Medical Center.