Vanderbilt University Medical Center continues to gain national recognition as a leading employer dedicated to the health of employees.
VUMC and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center have been re-accredited as a CEO Cancer Gold Standard employer for 2013.
The award is based on Vanderbilt’s efforts to assist employees in leading healthier lives, including participation in the types of activities that may help prevent cancer.
The CEO Roundtable on Cancer was founded in 2001 as an effort to encourage employers to support healthy habits for workers.
The award is presented to organizations that take concrete steps to reduce the cancer risk of employees and their families through screenings, early detection and healthy lifestyle changes.
To earn the two-year accreditation, an organization must establish programs to discourage tobacco use, encourage physical activity, promote healthy diet and nutrition, detect cancer at its earliest stages, and provide access to quality care, including participation in clinical research trials.
VUMC banned smoking from the Medical Center campus in 2008. The Medical Center provides free access to the Health Plus fitness facility for eligible staff members, offers more healthy food options in restaurants and food courts and encourages staff to engage in exercise through activities like the Start! walking program.
VUMC is among 140 accredited organizations including medical centers, public and private businesses and charitable organizations in the program to help staff members improve their health.