UPMC WorkPartners' Wellness Program Chosen by Ward Transport

PITTSBURGH, June 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- UPMC WorkPartners has been chosen as the health and wellness provider for employees of Ward Transport & Logistics, a trucking company based in Altoona, Pa., that serves customers in 12 Mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia.

Ward will offer its 1200 employees, who work out of 21 locations across the Northeast, the opportunity to participate in UPMC WorkPartners' "Take a Healthy Step" program. "Take a Healthy Step" encourages and supports healthy lifestyles by rewarding employees who participate in healthy activities with reduced out-of-pocket costs on their medical claims.

"We all know how our health and lifestyle habits can impact our personal and professional lives," said William T. Ward, President and CEO of Ward Transport & Logistics. "The UPMC WorkPartners strategy and use of tailored solutions are proven to be successful. Through this new partnership with UPMC WorkPartners, we look forward to helping our employees take steps toward a healthier future."

Through the Take a Healthy Step program, Ward employees will have access to a suite of interactive programs designed to improve nutrition, manage weight, quit tobacco, manage stress and increase physical activity. Ward employees will also have access to telephonic health coaching through a UPMC WorkPartners toll-free number. 

UPMC WorkPartners' wellness programs have been recognized by the National Business Group on Health (NBGH) for "offering an example and challenge to other employers striving to improve employee health and quality of life."

"We are pleased that Ward Transport has decided to 'take a healthy step' and go with UPMC WorkPartners' suite of interactive wellness programs," said David Weir, President of UPMC WorkPartners. "UPMC WorkPartners' wellness programs have proven they can enable organizations to create a culture of health."

"Take a Healthy Step" is one of the innovative programs and tools that are part of the award-winning workplace health and wellness program, "MyHealth," designed by UPMC WorkPartners. UPMC WorkPartners customizes "MyHealth" and its financial incentive design strategies to encourage participation and employee engagement.

About UPMC WorkPartners

Part of UPMC's global health enterprise, UPMC WorkPartners provides health and productivity solutions to high-performing companies throughout the United States. Formed in 1997, UPMC WorkPartners has continued to expand services in an effort to help its clients strategically manage the health and well-being of their employees. UPMC WorkPartners believes that workplace health is linked to productivity and, ultimately, the bottom line. Its mission is to provide its clients with effective solutions to improve the health and productivity of their employees. Its suite of services includes workers' compensation, absence management, employee assistance programs, employer health services, health management and wellness, and consulting services. UPMC WorkPartners is part of the UPMC Insurance Services Division, which offers a full range of insurance programs and products to more than 2.9 million members.

SOURCE UPMC WorkPartners