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Honoring companies who demonstrate a commitment to health and wellness innovation. Count Us In. NH BRAGG: Recipient of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care's "Health Innovator Award" F or Bangor-based NH Bragg, offering employees a variety of health-, safety- and wellness-focused programs has created an environment of whole person health awareness. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care recognizes NH Bragg with the Health Innovator Award for its commitment to making wellness an integrated part of its employee benefits package. "NH Bragg has encouraged its employees to explore a range of wellness programs focused on finding what is right for their lifestyles and families," says Ed Kane, Vice President, Maine at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. "The company's leadership is committed to consistently offering creative ideas to help their employees live healthier lives, and we have enjoyed the partnership." Founded in 1854, NH Bragg is a sixth-generation, family-owned distributor of industrial, safety and janitorial equipment and supplies. With 64 employees covering Maine to Massachusetts, the company realized that a cookie-cutter wellness program wouldn't work. "Until the last couple of years, our wellness program focused on weight loss, nutrition and smoking cessation," says Controller Rob Lorenzo. "We've since begun promoting total wellness that includes mind and body. We're making efforts to provide and promote tools and resources for employees to utilize anytime." The company also discovered that an effective way to encourage health awareness among employees was through a financial incentive. When a non-smoking employee (or one who completes a smoking cessation program) takes their annual physical and Health Risk Assessment with Harvard Pilgrim, they receive a health insurance credit from the company that reduces their premium to as low as $10 per week. "Wellness reduces out-of-pocket costs for everyone," NH Bragg President Jon Eames says, "However, these programs are offered because we care about our employees, their safety, their health, and their happiness." For employers starting a wellness program, Lorenzo advises not getting caught up in the numbers. "Our smoking cessation plan is worth it if one person quits," he says. "Our gym membership reimbursement is worth it if one person finds a new passion." Bragg employees also receive ongoing support from the leadership team. Both Eames and Vice President Vern Leeman are participating in the company's "Biggest Loser Contest." With 16 employees contributing $20 each to complete the 18-week challenge, the top "Loser" will walk away with over $300 cash, while weekly "Losers" choose from company-supplied gift cards. One long-time focus of the NH Bragg wellness program is a commitment to workplace safety — a commitment that comes from the top. "You need to have a champion in the organization to bring up new topics and keep safety and wellness as a mindset for your organization," says Operations Manager Aaron Huotari. Workstations are evaluated for ergonomic compliance, many desks were changed to include sit-stand stations, and repair shop stations were redesigned to accommodate working on equipment in various positions. Huotari also leads the company's Safety Committee on walk-throughs to encourage employees to think about how to be safer while working together. "We're responsible for employee safety," Huotari says, "and that has transformed into being responsible for whole body wellness." NH Bragg attributes much of its program's success to a partnership with Harvard Pilgrim, which has encouraged employees to take advantage of valuable health awareness resources. One such resource is the Healthy Now app, which connects to a smartwatch to track steps, activity, record food, etc. Another is the Eat Right Rewards app, which issues employees a cash refund based on making healthy grocery store purchases. "Our people lead very different lifestyles, and have different health and wellness goals," says Lorenzo. "Harvard Pilgrim helped us design a variety of programs and tools that support our employees." "These programs are offered because we care about our employees, their safety, their health, and their happiness." Jon Eames, President, NH Bragg Jon Eames, president of NH Bragg, left, and Ed Kane, Vice President, Maine at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, at NH Bragg in Scarborough.

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