Island Hospital’s Employee Wellness Committee has been awarded the esteemed Golden Apple Award from the Healthy Worksite Summit Planning Committee and the Zo8 Award from the Washington State Health Care Authority to recognize outstanding employee health promotion programs in Washington State. Initially established in the mid-1980s, the Golden Apple Award carries a long tradition of honoring public and private employers who prioritize employees’ overall well-being by promoting physical fitness and health programs. The Zo8 Award is given to Public Employees Benefit Board organizations for their achievement in building and growing a sustainable wellness program.

“We are extremely grateful to win two such important awards. They represent a healthy, happy workplace environment that greatly impacts our employees’ mental health and well-being both at work and at home,” said Island Hospital CEO Charles Hall, MSN, MBA.

The Golden Apple Award is presented annually at the Healthy Worksite Summit and is hailed as a prestigious award recognizing excellence in workplace wellness. Previous winners include the University of Washington, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, and Western Washington University. The City of Anacortes won the award in 2009, and now more than a decade later, Island Hospital brings the Golden Apple back to the community. This is the first year that Island Hospital’s Employee Wellness Committee has won this award. They have been a runner-up the past two years. This is the fifth straight year that Island Hospital Employee Wellness has received the Zo8 Award.