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Company celebrated as one of the state’s most innovative in workplace health promotion

Appleton, Wis. (November 16, 2018) – U.S. Venture has been awarded the Platinum Well Workplace Award by the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) – one of the nation’s most respected entities for building high-performing, healthy workplaces. The Platinum Award designation celebrates companies that have distinguished themselves as not only leaders but innovators in workplace health promotion.

“This recognition is hard earned by our team members who are active and enthusiastic participants in our wellness program,” says U.S. Venture CEO/President John Schmidt. “We have found ways to incorporate wellness into our culture while also measuring the results of our impact. We approach it from all angles – mental, physical and social – because we know all aspects lend to our overall well being.”

Wellness Council of Wisconsin, a local affiliate of the Wellness Council of America, presented the award to U.S. Venture on November 14.

“U.S. Venture has a strong commitment to protect and enhance the health and wellbeing of their employees,” says Marissa Kalkman, executive director of Wellness Council of Wisconsin. “Their dedication to creating and maintaining a healthy organization with their HealthSmart program is demonstrated in their Platinum Well Workplace Award designation, which is the most elite award reserved for employers who have taken a truly comprehensive approach to customize a unique and impactful strategy.”

U.S. Venture is joined by five other Fox Cities businesses in the platinum category – Aurora Health Care, Goodwill, J.J. Keller, Lawrence University and ThedaCare.

HealthSmart, U.S. Venture’s wellness program, was first established in 1991 with health risk appraisals and the launch of a 100-hour exercise program. Today, the program has grown to include a handful of programming including Virgin Pulse, an online software platform that combines the use of social interaction, rewards and wearable fitness devices to promote healthy lifestyle habits.

HealthSmart also offers team members a subscription to Grokker, a digital library with more than 4,000 instructional videos on fitness, yoga, meditation, cooking and sleep management. With a goal of increasing accessibility and content of our HealthSmart program, Grokker provides resources to align with the needs and interests of all U.S. Venture team members. They can hit “play” on the videos at any time and on all desktop or mobile devices, and participate in a series of year-round challenges as a way to stay engaged.

“We want to meet team members where they are, and a big draw to use Grokker was that they can use it anywhere whenever it fits in their schedule,” said Jen Sabee, wellness specialist at U.S. Venture. “For some, Grokker has replaced gym memberships but it adds a little extra with the holistic side of wellness that a lot of people are craving.”

A recently conducted survey with team members about Grokker revealed: 74% said they liked the wide variety of content to choose from; 48% said it provided them the flexibility they needed for their busy life; 19% said they liked the convenience of it when they travel; and 19% said it’s more cost effective than paying for a gym membership.

With 1,565 team members across 39 states, U.S. Venture has held the Gold Well Workplace Award since 2013 but has built upon its initiatives in 2017 to include more pointed programming that have yielded great results to date and has high participation rates.

“U.S. Venture developed an employee wellbeing strategy that is integral to their business and aligns with their organizational values,” Kalkman adds. “As a Platinum award winner, they are a model for other Wisconsin organizations who are working toward enhancing the wellbeing of their workforce.”