(KANSAS CITY) December 22, 2011 — With American companies staring at $225.8 billion a year in healthcare expenses and health-related productivity losses, corporate wellness programs are a must. Today the American Heart Association recognized 21 Kansas City companies as Fit-Friendly Companies for taking the steps to provide a heart-healthier workplace for their employees.

Six companies achieved the Platinum Award – the highest tier - and four companies were new winners.  One company received the Worksite & Community Innovation Awards. 

Kansas City companies designated as Fit-Friendly include:

• Aetna (Gold Award)
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City (Platinum Award & Worksite & Community Innovation Awards)
• Children’s Mercy Family Health Partners (Gold Award)
• Children’s Mercy Hospital & Clinics (NEW Gold Award)
• Dairy Farmers of America (NEW Gold Award)
• Farmland Foods (Gold Award)
• Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (Gold Award)
• Harley-Davidson Motor Co. of Kansas City (NEW Gold Award)
• Humana (Gold Award)
• JE Dunn Construction (Platinum Award)
• KCTV-5 (Platinum Award)
• Midwest Mechanical Contractors (Gold Award)
• NIC Inc. (Platinum Award)
• PlattForm Advertising (Platinum Award)
• Prescription Solutions (NEW Gold Award)
• Research Medical Center (Gold Award)
• Shawnee Mission Medical Center (Gold Award)
• Sunlight Day Spa (Gold Award)
• The University of Kansas Hospital (Platinum Award)
• UnitedHealthcare (Gold Award)
• United Methodist Church of the Resurrection (Gold Award)

Fit-Friendly Companies reach Gold level status by implementing various activities and programs to encourage physical activity, nutrition and culture enhancements such as on-site walking routes, healthy food choices in cafeterias and vending machines, annual employee health risk assessments and online tracking tools. 

Companies achieving Platinum recognition take the program a step further by measuring the outcomes of their wellness efforts.

The Worksite Innovation Award is only given to organizations that lead the development and implementation of innovative and effective programs to motivate employees toward a healthier lifestyle. 

Community Innovation Awards are given to organizations that not only promote physical activities within the workplace but the community as well.

To view the complete list of Fit-Friendly Companies, or to apply for recognition, visit startwalkingnow.org.

My Heart. My Life. is sponsored nationally by SUBWAY® restaurants and locally sponsored by Shawnee Mission Medical Center & JE Dunn Construction. 

CONTACT: Ciara O’Brien Murray
O: 913-6521966
M: 563-599-9557
Ciara.Murray@heart.org 

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