National Business Group on Health Honors Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System

The Health System is among 66 employers recognized for promoting healthy workplaces and lifestyles:

WASHINGTON, DC, – The National Business Group on Health, a non-profit association of large U.S. employers, has honored Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System for its commitment and dedication to promoting a healthy workplace and encouraging its workers and families to support and maintain healthy lifestyles.
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System was among 66 U.S. employers that received the 2012 Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles award at the Leadership Summit sponsored by the National Business Group on Health’s Institute on Innovation in Workforce Well-being.  The System received a Platinum Award for measurable success and outcomes achieved through Healthy Lives™, its employee health and wellness program.

“Healthy Lives™ can make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve by helping businesses improve the health and well-being of their employees while getting more value for the healthcare investment they make, as it has for our own organization.  We have recognized the changes needed in our industry and introduced new approaches to care, especially those that help individuals manage their personal health and chronic conditions,” said John J. Finan, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady System.  “Our experience has taught us a great deal and we are honored to receive this recognition and look forward to bringing the benefits of Healthy Lives™ to other employers.”

Healthy Lives™ is a new, complete solution to help employers improve their employees’ health and productivity and reduce their healthcare costs.  Healthy Lives™ empowers employers by getting employees and their families involved in their own healthcare management, delivering programs that improve health through changed behavior, and helping businesses get and use data that can drive greater value and lower healthcare expenses.  Currently there are 16 employers offering Healthy Lives™, covering 60,000 employees in Louisiana and beyond.  Healthy Lives™ is also engaged in partnerships with other health systems to offer these solutions to their local communities.

Helen Darling, President and CEO of the National Business Group on Health, commented:  “We are very pleased to recognize Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System for its ongoing commitment to providing lifestyle improvement programs that encourage healthy lifestyles for their employees. Its employees and management team should be proud for their dedication of promoting and maintaining a healthy workforce. We congratulate them on receiving this award.”

About Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System

The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System delivers compassionate care to all persons - especially those most in need - by providing high quality, cost effective medical care.  This Louisiana not-for-profit corporation serves as the parent for the healthcare ministry, which includes four hospitals and a full array of acute care and tertiary services including residential nursing care, PACE, community support, and outreach.  The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System includes Franciscan Health and Wellness Services, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, St. Elizabeth Hospital in Gonzales, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette, and St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe, and the Senior Services Division.  Today, nearly 10,000 dedicated individuals work to advance the system’s mission.  The health system's combined service area covers more than 1.8 million individuals, representing more than 40% of Louisiana's population.

Healthy Lives™ (www.ourhealthylives.org) is a solution provided by Franciscan Health and Wellness in partnership with the Franciscan Missionaries of our Lady Health System’s four hospitals, the Senior Services Division, and 1,800 physicians.  The Healthy Lives™ approach and focus was developed with the mission of promoting health, wellness, and spiritual wholeness. Employers who are interested in learning more about Healthy Lives™ should call (866) 953-3102.

About the National Business Group on Health

The National Business Group on Health is the nation's only non-profit, membership organization of large employers devoted exclusively to finding innovative and forward-thinking solutions to their most important health care and related benefits issues and to being the voice for large employers on national health care issues.  The Business Group, whose 345 members include 64 of the Fortune 100, identifies, develops and shares best practices in health benefits, disability, health and productivity, related paid time off and work/life balance issues. Business Group members provide health coverage for more than 55 million U.S. workers, retirees and their families.  For more information, visit www.businessgrouphealth.org.