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Northwestern Oklahoma State University has been awarded Certified Healthy Campus status at the excellence level for 2018.
Certified Healthy Campus was created in 2011 to recognize both public and private post-secondary campuses and career technology centers that promote health and wellness for their faculty, staff, students and visitors. The program is administered by the Oklahoma Turning Point Council and the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Center for the Advancement of Wellness.
“Northwestern recognizes the value of healthy employees and is committed to providing opportunities to promote wellness and healthy lifestyles,” Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president, said. “Having healthy employees increases productivity and can lower insurance premiums. Healthy employees are usually happy employees. That’s why a culture of promoting wellness is so very important.”
Certifications are awarded at the basic, merit, and excellence levels, depending on the number of criteria fulfilled. A smoke free policy is required for Basic, and a tobacco-free policy submitted with the application is required for Excellence. The Certified Healthy Oklahoma Campus Program 2018 received 48 applications and certified 42 campuses at the basic, merit or excellence level. Northwestern earned the excellence certification.
“This certification provides opportunities for Northwestern to create an environment that supports health policies and individual health decisions that ultimately will improve Oklahoma’s health outcomes,” Julie Dearing, state programs coordinator, said. “We applaud all Certified Healthy Oklahoma recipients for making the healthy choice, the easy choice and for helping to create a culture of wellness in their communities.”
Certified Healthy Oklahoma is a free statewide certification that recognizes entities going above and beyond to make health and wellness a priority for all. The program is open to businesses, campuses, communities, congregations, early childhood programs, restaurants and schools. Northwestern has received certifications from Certified Healthy Oklahoma every year since 2012.
“It is always my goal to create a culture of wellness on our campus and in our community,” Richard Burdick, J.R. Holder Wellness Center director, said. “I am very proud to be part of an environment here at Northwestern that supports positive health choices.”
All award winners will be acknowledged at a ceremony and luncheon at the Embassy Suites in Norman on March 7.
For local information on Certified Healthy Oklahoma contact Burdick at (580) 327-8109 or rpburdick@nwosu.edu.
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CONTACT FOR RELEASE
Erin Davis, University Relations Specialist
eedavis@nwosu.edu 580-327-8480