2026 Worksite Wellness Award Winners
Congratulations to all of this year's winners! Our awards are based on the nationally recognized CDC Worksite Wellness Scorecard. Points are assigned for proven health promotion strategies in the key areas of organizational support, tobacco control, nutrition, physical activity, chronic disease management, stress management, occupational health and safety, preventive vaccinations and diseases, and community resources.
Fleur de Lis Award Winners
Over a decade ago, the planning committee created this special award, the “Fleur de Lis” for companies who excel in their wellness efforts by hitting their wellness targets/goals. We are very excited to continue this award again this year to four outstanding organizations within the size categories of small, medium, large and very large.
These organizations achieved high scores on the Center for Disease Control Health Scorecard, but also provided evidence and documentation to support their efforts. Some of the criteria in the process include:
Top Management support: This is critical for success and continued implementation of wellness programs. This includes an established Mission/Vision Statement along with a defined plan for ongoing development and purpose for support.
Program variety: Utilization of various means for extending the wellness programs including lunch and learns, webinars, assessments, incentive/reward programs and classes.
Community engagement: Activities including walk-a-thons, service related projects like the Mayors Give a Day of Service and other team building opportunities.
Targeted improvement increases: Highlighted growth and improvements. For example high increase in participation rates and other success stories.
These outstanding organizations continue to inspire other companies toward wellness success.
Small Category: Strategic Communications, LLC stands out for launching a leadership-supported wellness engagement team that drives consistent participation across onsite, remote, and community-based activities. Their WellRight platform and recognition programs strengthen ongoing engagement across multiple wellness areas. A Healthy Habits Challenge produced measurable results, including an 8.6% average weight loss, reinforcing lasting behavior change and a strong wellness culture
Large Category: Zoeller Company stands out for delivering a fully integrated, whole-person wellness strategy, supported by strong leadership commitment and employee engagement. Their approach drove 56% program participation and over $3.9M in cost avoidance, while keeping employee premiums flat since 2020. A key success was increasing adoption of BluMine primary care to 50% utilization, generating $540K in cost savings and strengthening preventive care access and trust in onsite services.
Medium Category: Christian Appalachian Project stands out for redesigning its wellness program to boost engagement and outcomes through incentives tied to preventive care and coaching. This led to 200+ coaching sessions, strong event participation, and increased use of rewards. Their data-driven approach strengthened employee health and overall wellness culture.
Very Large Category: Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems stands out for its 92% participation rate and highly personalized, data-driven wellness program built on comprehensive annual labs for employees and spouses. Their focus on targeted incentives and face-to-face health reviews drives strong outcomes, including a 19% prediabetes rate (vs. 33–38% nationally) and 5% of employees returning to normal ranges over four years. This long-term, human-centered approach consistently delivers measurable health improvements and strong employee trust
Platinum Winners
Platinum is the highest award level, reserved for exemplary organizations that set the standard in worksite wellness. These workplaces have innovative, comprehensive wellness programs that achieve outstanding results. They demonstrate exceptional leadership in health promotion, and excel in all scoring metrics, reflecting a profound and lasting impact on employee health and well-being.
American Printing House for the Blind — excelling in the Social Wellness pillar
American Printing House for the Blind embodied social wellness through compassion and community. Their employee food pantry initiative created a culture of care and dignity, allowing employees to support one another in meaningful, tangible ways—strengthening connections across both onsite and remote teams.
Chemical & Industrial Engineering, Inc. — excelling in the Physical Wellness pillar
Chemical & Industrial Engineering stood out in physical wellness through their strong focus on preventive care. By increasing screenings and making wellness accessible to all employees—regardless of medical plan—they removed barriers and normalized proactive health management across their workforce
Gallagher — excelling in the Occupational Wellness pillar
Gallagher demonstrated leadership in occupational wellness by successfully navigating a major organizational merger while maintaining strong engagement. By thoughtfully blending cultures and prioritizing employee experience, they created a unified, supportive environment where employees continued to feel valued and connected.
Louisville MSD — excelling in the Occupational Wellness pillar
Louisville MSD demonstrated excellence in occupational wellness by elevating wellbeing as a business priority. By aligning wellness with engagement, performance, and culture—and truly listening to employee feedback—they transformed wellness from a program into a shared organizational responsibility.
Mercer Transportation Company — excelling in the Occupational Wellness pillar
Mercer Transportation excelled in occupational wellness by embedding wellness into the day-to-day employee experience. By making wellness accessible, relevant, and integrated into team meetings and company culture, they shifted the mindset from “optional” to essential—resulting in stronger engagement, morale, and connection across their workforce.
Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems — excelling in the Physical Wellness pillar
Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems is a standout in physical wellness, with an incredibly data-driven and personalized approach to health. Their commitment to comprehensive screenings and year-over-year health improvements shows how education, accountability, and human connection can drive measurable, lasting health outcomes.
Christian Appalachian Project — excelling in the Emotional Wellness pillar
Christian Appalachian Project made a powerful impact in emotional wellness through their expansion of health coaching and supportive programming. By removing barriers and encouraging that first step into coaching, they created lasting behavior change, helping employees build confidence, resilience, and healthier lifestyles
Elevance Health — excelling in the Emotional Wellness pillar
Elevance Health led in emotional wellness by providing accessible, high-impact support systems like their Associate CARE program. With high engagement and satisfaction, they’ve created a culture where employees feel supported, heard, and empowered to navigate both personal and professional challenges
Insuramax — excelling in the Financial Wellness pillar
Insuramax excelled in financial wellness by meeting employees where they are in their financial journeys. Through personalized education and planning, they empowered employees with the knowledge and confidence to build secure financial futures—reducing stress and strengthening overall wellbeing.
Louisville Metro Government — excelling in the Emotional Wellness pillar
Louisville Metro Government led in emotional wellness by creating safe, open spaces for meaningful conversations—especially through their menopause education initiative. By addressing real-life experiences with empathy and transparency, they empowered employees to feel heard, supported, and understood, strengthening both trust and workplace culture.
Norton Healthcare — excelling in the Physical Wellness pillar
Norton Healthcare stood out in physical wellness, anchored by their commitment to preventive care through annual physicals. With over 10,000 employees participating, their program didn’t just drive numbers—it changed lives. From early cancer detection to transformational health journeys, their focus on proactive care clearly demonstrates the life-saving impact of physical wellness.
NOT PICTURED:
UofL Health — excelling in the Social Wellness pillar
UofL Health truly exemplified social wellness this year by creating meaningful connection points through their monthly wellness fairs. By bringing employees, vendors, and resources together in one place, they didn’t just increase access—they built community. Their 30% increase in participation shows how powerful connection can be in driving engagement and helping employees feel supported and seen.
Kentucky Lottery Corporation — excelling in the Emotional Wellness pillar
Kentucky Lottery Corporation shined in emotional wellness by supporting employees through some of life’s most difficult moments. Their bereavement and life-support benefits demonstrate a deep commitment to caring for employees holistically—ensuring they feel supported not just at work, but through life’s challenges.
Gold Winners
The Gold level is awarded to workplaces with robust, well-rounded wellness programs that are integrated into the company culture. These organizations show significant commitment to employee health, with initiatives that are consistently evaluated and improved. They meet high scoring metrics in areas such as employee participation, program variety, and measurable health outcomes.
Comoto Holdings — excelling in the Emotional Wellness pillar
Comoto Holdings stood out in emotional wellness by normalizing mental health and making support highly visible and accessible. Through intentional programming and proactive communication, they created a workplace where employees feel comfortable prioritizing their mental wellbeing.
Southeast Christian Church — excelling in the Spiritual Wellness pillar
Southeast Christian Church exemplified spiritual wellness by integrating purpose, values, and holistic care into their wellness strategy. Their focus on practices like Sabbath rest and mission-driven engagement created a culture where wellbeing is deeply rooted in meaning and connection.
University of Louisville — excelling in the Intellectual Wellness pillar
The University of Louisville led in intellectual wellness by empowering employees through education, data, and informed decision-making. Their significant increases in program participation and learning engagement highlight how knowledge can drive meaningful behavior change and long-term wellbeing.
Raytheon Company — excelling in the Social Wellness pillar
Raytheon Company brought social wellness to life through creativity and fun. Their interactive “Take Flight” campaign fostered connection, friendly competition, and shared experiences—driving engagement and proving that wellness can be both impactful and enjoyable.
Strategic Communications, LLC — excelling in theSocial Wellness pillar
Strategic Communications thrived in social wellness by building a highly engaged, cross-functional wellness team. Through community events, shared experiences, and consistent engagement, they fostered a culture where employees feel connected, celebrated, and motivated to participate.
Zoeller Company — excelling in the Physical Wellness pillar
Zoeller Company excelled in physical wellness with a strong emphasis on preventive care and accessible healthcare solutions. Their investment in on-site clinics and screenings not only improved health outcomes but also drove significant cost savings—showing the value of making health easy and accessible.
Silver Winners
Silver awardees demonstrate a more comprehensive approach to employee wellness. These organizations have implemented multiple wellness initiatives and/or policies that go beyond the basics. Companies in this category may demonstrate higher participation rates, more actively engaged employees, or offer more diverse programming including resources for health improvement.
Bronze Winners
Bronze awardees demonstrate a more comprehensive approach to employee wellness. These organizations have implemented multiple wellness initiatives and/or policies that go beyond the basics. Companies in this category may demonstrate higher participation rates, more actively engaged employees, or offer more diverse programming including resources for health improvement.
Cedar Lake Workforce — excelling in the Occupational Wellness pillar
Cedar Lake Workforce demonstrated strength in occupational wellness by ensuring access to wellness resources across a complex, 24/7 workforce. Their commitment to meeting employees where they are—both physically and operationally—shows a deep understanding of workforce needs.
Musselman Hotels — excelling in the Occupational Wellness pillar
Musselman Hotels focused on occupational wellness by rebuilding engagement and making wellness more accessible and relevant to employees’ daily lives. Their efforts to reintroduce tools and create flexible participation options are helping restore momentum and strengthen their wellness culture.
Volunteers of America Mid-States — excelling in the Social Wellness pillar
Volunteers of America Mid-States highlighted social wellness through friendly competition and team-based engagement. Their wellness campaigns created connection, camaraderie, and a sense of fun that keeps employees coming back year after year.
WORKING THROUGH ADVERSITY WINNERS
This year we also did something a little different by recognizing two groups with certificates for resilience and commitment through adversity. Keeping a wellness program vibrant takes dedication, especially during times of change.
American Printing House for the Blind - fostered connection during a major renovation that moved employees into hybrid and temporary spaces. Their Wellness Committee introduced inclusive offsite hikes and expanded team challenges, ensuring all employees stayed engaged. These efforts strengthened participation and reinforced a culture where everyone felt valued during change.
University of Louisville- Sustained and grew its wellness program during leadership transitions, funding constraints, and changing federal legislation. By maintaining core programming and adapting with data-driven strategies, the team preserved momentum and trust. These efforts resulted in increased participation, higher EAP utilization, and strong employee satisfaction.
Congratulations to all of our winners!
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