Upstate earns CEO Cancer Gold Standard re-accreditation

SYRACUSE, N.Y.-- Upstate Medical University has earned the CEO Cancer Gold Standard re-accreditation for maintaining a strong commitment to the health of its employees and satisfying the latest, comprehensive requirements of the Gold Standard.

“Employee wellness programs are more than just nice perks. Wellness promotion can lead to reduced absenteeism and health care costs, and increased productivity.” said Bruce Simmons, M.D., medical director of Upstate’s Employee and Student Health. “Our programs include healthy eating programs and food demonstrations, stress management activities, smoking cessation programs, partnerships with community organizations like the YMCA and meditation and relaxation areas. Our aim is to help the employee be happy and healthy from the inside out.”

The CEO Roundtable on Cancer, a nonprofit organization of health-minded CEOs, developed and administers the Gold Standard, an employee wellness framework based on taking concrete actions in five key areas to address cancer in the workplace. Today, more than 4.5 million employees and family members are benefiting from the vision and leadership of nearly 200 private, non-profit, and government employers who have chosen to become Gold Standard accredited. The listing of accredited employers includes a wide range of occupational categories, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and a number of NCI-designated cancer centers.

“When you want to impact the world, they say to start at home. That’s what we’re doing when we empower our employees with the knowledge, opportunities and encouragement to lead healthy lifestyles, especially as it relates to cancer,” said John McCabe, M.D., chief executive officer of Upstate University Hospital. “This approach ultimately enhances the care we offer patients and the community through education and outreach initiatives across our 17-county service area.”

To earn and maintain CEO Cancer Gold Standard accreditation, an employer meets specific requirements in corporate culture and health benefits: establish policies and programs to reduce cancer risk by prohibiting tobacco use and supporting tobacco cessation efforts; promote physical activity, healthy nutrition and weight management; provide health insurance options that include detecting cancer at its earliest stages, access to quality care, and participation in clinical trials; promote employee awareness of these initiatives; and support the needs of cancer survivors in the workplace.