Welcoa, Wellness Council of America

Working Well

Realizing The Vision of WELCOA

The Wellness Councils of America (WELCOA), was founded 15 years ago as a resource for the nation’s employers to turn to for building and sustaining results-oriented worksite wellness programs. Today we’re happy to say that workplaces across America are beginning to take to heart the principles we’ve long espoused.

These principles revolve around building a healthier America by building healthier working environments. These are the core philosophies that guide us.

Our Mission
To enable employers to link health promotion objectives to bottom-line business outcomes.

Our Vision

If every workplace would offer its employees a structured health promotion program…

If every community would make preventive care a priority...

If every employee had access to reliable health information…

America would be a healthier place.
Creating such an America is the vision of the Wellness Councils of America.

Our Focus
Specifically, WELCOA concentrates its workplace wellness efforts in four strategic areas:

Building and recognizing Well Workplaces and Well Cities

Partnering with communities to establish local business coalitions

Promoting corporate membership

Producing leading-edge health information

Our Background
The Wellness Councils of America (WELCOA) was established as a national not-for-profit organization in the mid 1980’s through the efforts of a number of forward thinking business and health leaders. Drawing on the vision originally set forth by William Kizer, Sr., Chairman of Central States Indemnity, and WELCOA founding Directors that included Dr. Louis Sullivan, former Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Warren Buffet, Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, WELCOA has helped influence the face of workplace wellness in the US.

Today, WELCOA has become one of the most respected resources for workplace wellness in America. With a corporate membership in excess of 2,500, WELCOA is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all working Americans. Located in America’s heartland, WELCOA makes its national headquarters in one of America’s healthiest business communities—Omaha, Nebraska.

Our Beliefs
We believe…

That health care costs are an issue of significant concern.

That a healthy workforce is essential to America’s continued growth and prosperity.

That much of the illness in the U.S. is directly preventable.

That the workplace is an ideal setting to address health and well-being.

That workplace wellness programs can transform corporate culture and change lives.

Our Future
Guided by these founding philosophies, WELCOA has begun to establish the roots of a healthier America. Through the implementation of its Well Workplace process into hundreds of companies all across the United States, and through the formation of local business coalitions that have led to the establishment of seven Well Cities, we are indeed beginning to realize our vision of a healthier nation.

Our Hope
As we look torward the future of worksite health promotion, we will remain steadfast in our commitment to improving the health and well-being of all Americans through the development of results-oriented wellness initiatives in the workplace. It is our firm belief that the same principles that have guided us to this point will continue to guide us in our quest toward creating a healthier tomorrow.

A Healthy History

Tracking WELCOA Through the Years

1982
William Kizer, Sr. establishes Wellness Council of the Midlands, nation’s first Wellness Council, in Omaha, NE.

1984
20,000 business and community leaders participate in nation’s first wellness teleconference. This teleconference generates national interest in workplace wellness, & HIAA awards $450,000 grant to establish a nationwide network of "Wellness Councils."

1985
Ten "Wellness Councils" chartered by US Dept. of Health & Human Services through HIAA grant.

1986
Wellness Council of the Midlands, HIAA partner to sponsor the Health Task national Conference on worksite wellness.

1987
HHS Secretary Otis R. Bowen formally announces formation of WELCOA.
WELCOA incorporated in Nebraska with grant funding from the Peter Kiewit Foundation and the Health Insurance Association of America.

1991
WELCOA announces Well Workplace Awards initiative.

1993
WELCOA introduces Well City USA Awards initiative.

1995
David Hunnicutt, PhD named as WELCOA President. Jacksonville, FL earns nation's first Well City USA Award.

1996
Omaha, NE designated as the nation’s second Well City USA. 100th Well Workplace Award presented.

1997
Chattanooga, TN honored as nation’s third Well City USA.

1998
200th Well Workplace Award presented.

1999
300th Well Workplace Award presented.

2000
Hobart, IN achieves Well City USA status. Lincoln, NE christened as a Well City USA. 500th Well Workplace Award presented. Kearney, NE earns Well City USA designation.

2001
WELCOA inaugurates Platinum Well Workplace Award. Kanawha Valley, WV inducted as nation’s 7th Well City USA. 600th Well Workplace Award presented.

2002
8 WELCOA Platinum Award winning companies recognized. Platinum Award winners include Highsmith, Inc., Union Pacific Railroad, Nebraska Methodist College, Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Motorola, The Principal Financial Group, Nebraska Health System, and Lab Safety Supply, Inc.