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AMHERST, N.Y. – ˿����Ƶ College has received a finalist award in Buffalo Business First’s 2017 Western New York Healthiest Employer program, marking the third consecutive year the college has earned this regional distinction.

˿����Ƶ is the only local college in the Buffalo Niagara region named a wellness leader among a total of 27 finalists in four organization size categories in the seventh annual awards program.

“It is an honor to be recognized once again for our commitment to making wellness a priority for ˿����Ƶ’s faculty and staff,” said President Gary A. Olson. “Using a range of efforts, we have made great strides in fostering a healthy workplace environment and encouraging our faculty and staff to engage in healthy lifestyle choices.”

Honored in the large employer category (250-999 employees), the college was selected based on the effectiveness of its wellness program in six key categories, including culture and leadership commitment, foundational components, strategic planning, communications and marketing, programming and interventions, and reporting and analysis.

In addition to being a tobacco-free campus, ˿����Ƶ’s health initiatives focus on exercise, good nutrition and healthy food choices, stress reduction, wellness resources and events, and other activities held throughout the year.

 “By creating a culture of wellness at ˿����Ƶ, our efforts are having a positive impact on the lives of our faculty and staff,” said Kelly Pogore, associate director of human resources, who oversees ˿����Ƶ’s wellness program. “Our various initiatives are designed to promote the overall well-being of our faculty and staff and to support healthy practices both at work and home.”

Pogore, a Lancaster resident, accepted the award on behalf of the college at the WNY Healthiest Employer awards luncheon. Joining her at the ceremony was Samantha Maiarana, also of Lancaster, human resources associate and student employment coordinator.