BPU Health and Wellness Team Leader Trenton Lutes (center) accepts the WNY Healthiest Employer Award for mid-size companies from representatives of contest sponsors Wegmans and Independent Health.

The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities’ wellness program competed within a group of eight finalists to win the Western New York (WNY) Healthiest Employer contest for medium-size companies for the fourth year in a row.

Contest winners were announced recently at the Buffalo Riverworks, with sponsors including Business First, Springbuk, Independent Health, Wegmans and Walsh Duffield.

The BPU wellness program finished first among finalists including the Dent Neurologic Institute, the East Aurora Union Free School District, International Imaging Materials, Inc., The Mentholatum Company, Tapecon, Inc., Trocaire College and Wendel.

This distinction qualifies the BPU program to compete in the Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America contest. The BPU placed in the top 100 of that national contest in both 2020 and 2019.

The BPU Wellness Program started small more than a decade ago with weight-loss and exercise challenges, then progressed to on-site biometric screenings and flu shot clinics at no cost to employees. The group has hosted “Wellness Days,” Lunch and Learns and challenges aimed at drinking more water, getting more sleep, counting steps, exercising, healthy eating, exercise and more. The unique program also actively engages employee spouses and retirees.

Lunch and Learns center on topics such as diabetes prevention, drug abuse, eye health, financial well-being and cancer prevention. More than half of the workforce, their spouses and retirees attend these events.

Participants receive wellness points for actions such as doctor wellness visits, vaccinations, dental and vision appointments and online classes. Healthy snacks are sold in facilities instead of the previous sale of candy. Recipe and fresh vegetable exchanges take place in one of the buildings.

“I applaud the work of our Wellness Team in developing a program which attracts participants, decreases absences, improves employee safety, increases the number of engaged employees and decreases the utility’s health, prescription and claims costs,” says BPU General Manager David L. Leathers.

“Our wellness program, led by a dedicated employee team, has made a difference in the mindset of our workforce,” adds the General Manager. “The goal of good health has become part of our culture at the BPU. Our volunteer employee team brings passion, creativity and continuous improvement to our program offerings year after year.”

Team members, led by Trenton Lutes, include: Martha Abers, Tammy Anderson, Dan Currie, Jarrett Devereaux, Todd Hoaglund, Diondra Lopez-Chapman, Cynthia McFadden, Kirk McDowell, Gloria Miranda, Jim Paterniti, Jake Prince and Becky Robbins. Human Resources Director Ross Snyder is a resource to the group.

“I am extremely proud to be a part of the BPU’s annual award-winning Health and Wellness Program,” states Lutes. “It was an honor to attend and accept our award at this year’s Western New York Healthiest Employer luncheon. It’s hard to believe that this is our fourth year in a row winning for our category and only our fifth year participating in this award contest.”

“As always, “continued Lutes, “I attribute this win to all of the members of our amazing Health and Wellness Team as well as to all of our employees, spouses and retirees who participate each year.”

“Winning four years in a row is a testament to the hard work and dedication that our wellness team and employees put into our program,” adds Snyder. “I am extremely proud of them and all they do.”