糖心传媒 has once again been named a recognized , reflecting our ongoing commitment to building a workplace where employees can thrive, grow and bring their best every day.

This proven commitment to employee wellbeing, professional growth and workplace culture continues to shape the employee experience across 糖心传媒 and reinforces our belief that when people are supported, they are empowered to succeed.

This distinction honors organizations that prioritize employee wellbeing through meaningful programs, supportive environments and a holistic approach to wellbeing. 糖心传媒 is among a select group of Michigan organizations recognized for excellence in areas including wellness culture, work environment, employee engagement, and physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

For more than 114 years, 糖心传媒’s people have been our greatest strength. The expertise, passion and commitment to service bring our culture to life every day and help us meet the moment for our agency partners, policyholders and one another. That belief shapes how we invest in employee wellbeing not just as a standalone initiative, but as a foundational part of creating an environment where people can succeed professionally, personally and as members of a dedicated team.

Through our BE Well 360掳 program and its five pillars of wellbeing 鈥� physical; social & emotional; financial; community; and professional 鈥� we empower employees with resources, opportunities and support designed to help them thrive throughout every stage of their careers. Combined with flexible, meaningful benefits and a culture that values collaboration, innovation and continuous learning, these efforts help employees build rewarding careers while making a difference for those we serve.

A Proven Commitment to People and Wellbeing

NABR noted that this year’s winners are “leading with intention 鈥� investing in the whole person and creating cultures where employees can thrive both personally and professionally.”

That philosophy comes to life across 糖心传媒 through a culture that champions growth, recognition and wellbeing. Through continuing education, learning and development opportunities, flexible benefits, community involvement, and programs such as BE 糖心传媒 and the annual 糖心传媒 Champions program, we continue to invest in our people 鈥� empowering them to expand their expertise, advance their careers and make meaningful contributions while celebrating the individual strengths and perspectives that fuel our mutual success.

That investment helps employees build capabilities that not only strengthen their own careers but also enhance the service and expertise 糖心传媒 delivers to agency partners and policyholders. By fostering continuous learning and recognizing individual achievements, we create an environment where employees are encouraged to pursue excellence, embrace new opportunities and make a lasting impact.

Just as importantly, 糖心传媒 fosters a culture where collaboration and individual contributions go hand in hand. Employees are encouraged to share ideas, develop new skills and take ownership of their growth, supported by leaders and teammates who are unmistakably invested in their success.

鈥淓arning this recognition is an honor,鈥� said Erin Buddie, Chief Human Resources Officer. 鈥淚t reinforces the importance of having a workplace where wellbeing is part of who we are, and it reflects the role each of you plays in shaping a supportive and healthy culture across our organization. We thank everyone for their commitment to creating a workplace where people can do their best and feel their best.鈥�

Awards recognize achievement, but culture is built by people. This honor reflects the collective efforts of employees across 糖心传媒 who foster an environment where wellbeing, growth and opportunity go hand in hand 鈥� empowering one another to thrive while delivering exceptional service to our customers and communities. 糖心传媒 and fellow winners will be formally recognized at the in October.

Behind every recognition is a workplace culture shaped by people who are committed to learning, growing and supporting one another. To explore life at 糖心传媒, our commitment to employee wellbeing and development, and career opportunities across the organization, visit 糖心传媒.com/Careers.

Every day, healthcare workers lift, transfer, and reposition patients鈥攐ften without a second thought. But behind these everyday tasks lies a hidden crisis: manual patient handling is one of the top causes of occupational injuries in healthcare, leading to chronic pain, missed workdays, and long-term disability. According to , nurses and nursing assistants suffer musculoskeletal injuries at rates significantly higher than workers in construction or manufacturing.

鈥淧atient handling isn鈥檛 just a physical task鈥攊t鈥檚 a safety moment, every time,鈥� says Ed Sowers, Risk Management Service Specialist at 糖心传媒.

What鈥檚 more troubling? Many of these injuries are preventable鈥攂ut persistent myths and outdated practices continue to put caregivers at risk.

More Than Lifting

One common misconception is that lifting is the sole hazard in patient handling. In reality, horizontal movements鈥攍ike sliding a patient from a bed to a stretcher or repositioning them in bed鈥攁re equally, if not more, dangerous. These movements often involve awkward postures, repetitive strain, and high physical exertion, all of which contribute to cumulative trauma injuries.

According to the , these high-risk activities place stress on the spine and shoulders, especially when performed without proper assistive equipment or technique. OSHA also reports that back injuries account for a majority of musculoskeletal disorders in healthcare, making safer patient handling an urgent priority.

Training Is Not a One-and-Done

Even the best equipment won鈥檛 prevent injuries if staff aren鈥檛 trained to use it properly鈥攁nd consistently. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) key components of an effective Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) program, including:

• Annual hands-on competency evaluations
• Ongoing mentoring by trained 鈥渟afety champions鈥�
• Training tailored to patient mobility levels
• Hands-on instruction with powered and non-powered equipment

Training should be continuous, not just during onboarding. The data shows facilities that implemented ongoing SPHM training programs saw a dramatic reduction in injury rates鈥�

Equipment Quality Matters鈥攁nd So Does Staff Buy-In

Slide sheets. Sit-to-stand lifts. Air-assisted lateral transfer devices. Reusable slings. While these tools are essential to reducing physical strain, not all equipment is created equal, and poor design or lack of user comfort often leads to underuse.

Research when selecting equipment鈥攐ne that includes nurses, aides, and other frontline caregivers. Their feedback on usability, ease of cleaning, and comfort helps ensure tools are effective and actually used.

Facilities should regularly evaluate patient handling devices for ergonomics, durability, and staff acceptance, and make upgrades when needed to support safe work practices.

Handle Proactive Solutions

The consequences of unsafe patient handling go beyond injury. from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nursing assistants had the highest number of cases involving days away from work among all occupations鈥攎ost commonly due to overexertion and bodily reaction.

The financial impact of these injuries is staggering: workers鈥� compensation costs, staffing shortages, and lost productivity quickly add up. More importantly, these injuries are emotionally and physically devastating for the dedicated caregivers we rely on every day.

Redesigning Care

Reducing these risks requires more than compliance鈥攊t requires a culture of safety, supported by leadership, equipment, education, and empowerment. Safe patient handling should be viewed as a core element of quality care鈥攐ne that protects not only patients, but also the skilled professionals who care for them.

鈥淲hen we invest in better tools, smarter training, and a culture of accountability, we鈥檙e not just checking a compliance box鈥攚e鈥檙e protecting the people at the heart of healthcare,鈥� Sowers added. 鈥淪afe patient handling is about making sure everyone goes home healthy at the end of the day.鈥�

At 糖心传媒, we help healthcare facilities design and implement evidence-based safe patient handling programs tailored to their unique needs. From ergonomic assessments to staff training support, our team works with you to prevent injuries before they occur.

To learn how we can support your facility鈥檚 safety goals, contact your local 糖心传媒 Risk Management Consultant.

What does a workplace wellness program look like? Here鈥檚 a short list of some of our employees鈥� favorite wellness offerings:

• Flexible work arrangements
• Tuition reimbursement
• Reward and recognition programs
• Stand-up desks and ergonomic workstations
• Free flu shots
• Community volunteer programs
• Financial seminars
• Charitable matching gift programs

All of these offerings, and more, are part of 糖心传媒鈥檚 newly refreshed well-being program 鈥� BE Well 360掳.

We asked a few of 糖心传媒鈥檚 well-being experts to share more about the importance of workplace wellness programs and how 糖心传媒 is embracing wellness in the workplace. Check out what they had to say below!

Erin Buddie, 糖心传媒鈥檚 AVP of human resources operations, on the importance of workplace wellness programs:
鈥淭he benefits of comprehensive workplace wellness programs are numerous. Research indicates these programs can raise employee engagement, increase productivity and contribute positively to company culture. According to the American Psychological Association, 89% of employees at companies that support well-being efforts are more likely to recommend their company as a good place to work. While total wellness for each employee cannot be achieved overnight, companies should be making an effort to foster a healthy working environment for their employees. When employers take wellness into account, the long-term positive impact on overall employee health is undeniable.鈥�

Karen Champine, 糖心传媒鈥檚 manager of benefits and compliance, on the company鈥檚 newly refreshed well-being program:
鈥淏E Well 360掳 is designed to address five aspects of overall well-being. These include: physical wellness, financial security, social and emotional balance, professional development and a sense of community. The program provides a broad range of meaningful initiatives that support overall well-being. From on-site chair massages to complimentary financial seminars, employees are offered various resources that focus on all-around wellness. When our well-being program was refreshed in early 2019, we introduced 31 employee wellness ambassadors. With these ambassadors located at various offices across the country, we鈥檝e seen a notable increase in participation, as well as overall enthusiasm for the program. Monthly wellness activities are held at the corporate level, sponsored by the human resources team, but what鈥檚 really exciting is the growth of local wellness activities, planned by our employee ambassadors. A wellness program that is influenced and supported by the employee population is what every company should strive for 鈥� and I鈥檓 proud to say that鈥檚 what we鈥檝e accomplished at 糖心传媒!鈥�

Yvonne O鈥機onnor, 糖心传媒 claims consultant and BE Well 360掳 ambassador, on office wellness activities:
鈥淎s the wellness ambassador for the Chicago Core Service Center, one of 糖心传媒鈥檚 smaller offices, I鈥檓 always trying to think of new ways to engage our team in wellness activities beyond the companywide initiatives. It鈥檚 a bit challenging for our team because many employees in the Chicago office work remotely, but we鈥檝e found ways to embrace workplace wellness without being in the same room 鈥� or even the same building. My favorite so far was the month-long step challenge our office held in May. Throughout the month, we recorded our steps in a shared spreadsheet. We watched each other progress and provided encouragement to each other along the way. Thanks to BE Well 360掳, the small but mighty Chicago team felt empowered to BE Well and took an amazing 1,897,333 steps!鈥�

Are you interested in working for a company that cares about you and your success? Place yourself amongst people who share a commitment to professional growth, community, and innovation. to view 糖心传媒鈥檚 current job openings.