Fargo, N.D. - Employers can help improve the health of employees, resulting in lower health care costs and increased productivity and morale. Many need the tools to start such a program. The first annual Healthy North Dakota Worksite Wellness Summit titled "Taking Wellness to Work in North Dakota" will be held 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 28, at the Holiday Inn, Fargo, with the goal of providing motivation and tools for employers to implement an effective wellness program.

The event includes a vendor fair and access to resources and information on how to start or enhance a worksite program. Keynote speakers are Dr. David Hunnicutt, president of the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) and an international expert in the fields of worksite wellness and health promotion, and Craig Johnson, wellness and safety Manager at Duncan Aviation in Nebraska, who will share his experience in building a world-class and award winning worksite wellness program.

In addition to the benefits, experience and insight of the keynote speakers, attendees of the summit will hear lessons learned from a panel of North Dakota employers who have already implemented programs. Healthy employees have demonstrated both lower medical costs and higher productivity. The North Dakota Department of Health conducted research of employers in North Dakota, and found that more than 80 percent of North Dakota employers believe in the benefits of a worksite wellness program but want more support and guidance.

Cost to attend the event is $60, or $50 for registrations made before September 10. Student rates are also available. Online registration and more information can be found at www.NDworksitewellness.org or by contacting Worksite Wellness Initiative Director Pete Seljevold at pete.seljevold@hndww.org.

About the North Dakota Worksite Wellness intiative

The goal of the North Dakota Worksite Wellness initiative is to get more North Dakota businesses and organizations to implement effective worksite wellness programs, ultimately positively impacting the state of health of all North Dakotans. The initiative was launched in August of 2009 as a collaborative effort between Dakota Medical Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota and Healthy North Dakota. More information is available at www.NDworksitewellness.org.

Video/audio opportunity

Current employers using worksite wellness tools are available for interviews and video at job sites beginning the week of August 23. A follow-up phone call to this news release will make the company names available to the media. Keynote speakers also will be available to the media by phone or e-mail before the event.

For more information

Pete Seljevold
Worksite Wellness Initiative Director
701-277-2414
pete.seljevold@hndww.org