The Michigan Wellness Council (MWC) was formed after five years of regional growth and requests from stakeholders across the state to centralize corporate health and wellness best practices. Momentum has been accelerating due to the national prevention strategy and wellness grant provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Its mission is to inspire the successful integration of wellness best practices in the workplace through access to quality resources and forums. The Council will be supporting Governor Rick Snyder’s recent Michigan 4×4 plan and health and wellness initiatives.
The MWC recently held its inaugural event at Compuware Corporate Headquarters in Detroit, featuring Dee Edington, Ph.D., Director of the University of Michigan Health Management Research Center.
“Previously, businesses have not had the resources necessary to effectively impact health care costs across the entire spectrum of care,” said Scott Foster, MWC chairman and president of Wellco, a leading Michigan-based corporate health and wellness consulting firm. “The Michigan Wellness Council is proud to be the first to provide non-proprietary, non-profit resources to help businesses throughout the state effectively control medical costs.”
The MWC has also introduced its first board of directors. The board was carefully selected to demonstrate the collaborative solutions available to Michigan businesses and provided with staggered terms to continue momentum and growth. The board consists of experts in business, medicine, wellness, health care administration, media and government.“The MWC board is a reflection of the leadership and collaboration needed for effective health cost control,” said Foster. “Each of these outstanding business and community leaders will bring significant experience with key growth and development issues central to our quality of life in Michigan.”
Directors include: Scott Foster, President, Wellco; Ken Rogers, Executive Director, Automation Alley; Jennifer Kluge, President and CEO, Michigan Food and Beverage Association and the Michigan Business and Professional Association; Kathleen Neal, Director, Integrated Health Care and Disability, Chrysler Group LLC; Christi Demitz, Public Health Consultant, Michigan Department of Community Health;Earlexia Norwood, MD, Physician-in-Charge, Henry Ford Medical Center-Troy; Debra Brandt, Senior Benefit Manager, Global Health & Wellness, Whirlpool Corporation; Susan Bailey, Program Manager-Health and Wellness, DTE Energy; Michele Hodges, President, Troy Chamber of Commerce; Jamie Spriet, Vice President, Business Development, HAP; Tom Spring, Strategic Executive Director, Health Care Provider Segment, WebMD Health Services; Fred Zimmer, Partner, Business Development Group, Kent Sharkey, President and CEO, T.E.A.M. Human Capital Solutions and Mary Jo Lefevre, Account Executive, AGIS.
“We’ve noticed businesses asking for better health information, not just more,” said Foster. “The complexity of reform and rapid-fire pace of insurance and wellness changes have created a perfect storm of opportunity for businesses that keep up and leverage the latest strategies. Employers want to know what is proven to make a difference in their bottom line.”
Read a related story in Crain’s Detroit Business by following this link.
For more information about the Michigan Wellness Council, visit www.michiganwellnesscouncil.org.
Wellco fixes health and wellness programs for organizations that want to measurably improve health costs and conditions. Wellco specializes in wellness ROI and appraisal systems, corporate wellness programs, speaking, and consulting. Wellco currently offers a free, 7-point wellness program review and planning guide to help you avoid the most common mistakes and identify the most promising improvement opportunities. For your free review, or for more information, call Wellco today, at 866-636-WELL (9355) or visit www.wellcocorp.com.
Jamie Spriet, Vice President, Business Development, HAP
