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Staff Photo by John Rawlston Nancy Dempsey, left, and Lydia Mason work out on hand rower machines in the fitness center at the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee headquarters building in Chattanooga. Blue Cross is trying to spread wellness throughout its corporate culture, including encouraging employees to exercise.
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Mark Selna
Andy Jacobs, a 45-year-old technical systems analyst for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, said he was overweight, sedentary and worried little about what he ate.
That was until a check-up revealed his cholesterol was dangerously high — so elevated that his physician wanted to put him on meds immediately, he said.
But, Mr. Jacobs decided to take part in a six- to eight-week, in-house pilot fitness program the insurer calls Helping People Thrive. He said he lost 20 pounds by adjusting his diet and exercising, and when he went back to the doctor, his cholesterol was at normal levels.
The Blue-Cross program is one way in which the Chattanooga-based health insurer is trying to make wellness part of its corporate culture.
Dr. Mark Selna, a BlueCross senior vice president, said company officials felt compelled to do so because it’s a health solutions business and it has an employee population with a significant amount of medical illnesses.
“We really needed to walk the talk,” he said.
The move earlier this year to BlueCross’ new $299 million corporate campus on Cameron Hill has helped facilitate the company’s aim.
“We made a commitment several years ago now as evidenced by the the new campus that we needed to embrace the things that are hard to embrace — those things that represent a healthy culture,” Dr. Selna said.
key sites
Building an on-site fitness location for working out and a nutrition center serving healthy foods are two steps the insurer has taken.
Also, it offers an employee care center with a clinic, and it has an adjacent pharmacy where workers can obtain prescriptions and drug store items at a discounted rate, officials said.
“It’s been a challenge,” said Dr. Selna about the company’s efforts. “We’re gradually showing success.”
Brian Locke, a Web architect who has worked for the company for five years, said he lost 13 pounds in the Thrive program.
When he used to work in BlueCross’ Miller Building on Broad Street, he found it harder to go to a gym to work out.
“The gym is a minute’s walk from where I am now,” Mr. Locke said.
Mr. Jacobs said he’s about to break 200 pounds in weight for the first time in 25 or 30 years.
“I started eating at the nutrition center on campus, healthy items,” he said.
BlueCross spokeswoman Mary Thompson said the nutrition center also serves as a conference area to help integrate the site into the insurer’s health and wellness plan.
With a pair of large screens, the company does a lot of employee meetings such as nutrition classes and fitness center kickoff events, she said.
“It’s like being at home. A lot of activities center around the kitchen,” Ms. Thompson said.
Dr. Selna said the free Thrive program introduces BlueCross employees, 80 percent of whom are women, to a comprehensive fitness initiative featuring cardio and strength workouts along with balanced nutrition.
“We’re getting good results from Thrive,” he said. “Most people say they’ve got more energy, a better outlook on life, more enjoyment of work and a favorable attitude toward BlueCross.”
The company’s programs were developed prior to most of its Chattanooga work force moving up to Cameron Hill, and BlueCross has had healthy offerings such as summer walking programs and subsidizing gym memberships, which it continues to do.
But, Ms. Thompson said, the new campus has solidified programming and provided a physical presence to carry it out.
Dr. Selna said one of the root causes of disability and chronic disease is inactivity and overeating. He said BlueCross wanted to design the campus and programs to strongly encourage employees to take advantage of the services.
Mr. Jacobs, meanwhile, said he has become a coach for co-workers on Thrive on his own time.
He also has encouraged his wife and son to take up exercising, he said.
“We’ve gone from a sedentary lifestyle to an active, physical lifestyle, and we’re eating better,” Mr. Jacobs said.
WELLNESS CULTURE
* Use of fitness center is free to employees
* Vending machines don’t have candy; less healthier foods are priced higher
* Nutrition center serves healthy options and portions
* On-site lab provides blood pressure and cholesterol checks
* Adjacent pharmacy is convenient and less expensive
Source: BlueCross
UPCOMING COVERAGE
Thursday
A local woman who has shed more than 100 pounds shares how she did it.
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Mike Pare, the deputy Business editor at the Chattanooga Times Free Press, has worked at the paper for 27 years. In addition to editing, Mike also writes Business stories and covers Volkswagen, economic development and manufacturing in Chattanooga and the surrounding area. In the past he also has covered higher education. Mike, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., received a bachelor’s degree in communications from Florida Atlantic University. he worked at the Rome News-Tribune before ...
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