0

Company Spotlight: OUC – The Reliable One

Employee Wellbeing Strategies, Benefits and Memorable Moments powers OUC’s 15+ Years of AdventHealth Corporate 5k Participation

Veteran Corporate 5k Team Captain Karlene Santiago, Senior Community Engagement Coordinator at OUC – The Reliable One, enjoys a healthy lifestyle and has been a source of encouragement for fellow 1,300+ employees since she started at OUC 19 years ago!  She shares her perspective on what makes the AdventHealth Corporate 5k an event she and her associates look forward to every year.

Q: How many years has OUC been participating in the AdventHealth Corporate 5k?
A: 15+ years

Q: Who participates on OUC’s AdventHealth Corporate 5k team? 
A: Friends, Family, Employees

Q: What are some incentives or strategies OUC uses to encourage participation in the AdventHealth Corporate 5k?
A: To encourage participation in Corporate 5k, here are a few ways OUC implements a great mix of incentives and strategies that help motivate employees and foster a fun, community-oriented atmosphere:
1. OUC offers free registration for employees and their families. Each participant also receives a custom team shirt as a nice way to create a sense of unity and pride. 
2. We provide participants with a free meal and refreshments to help the event feel more like a celebration than a competition, which can be more inviting for people of all fitness levels.
3. Through OUC’s Wellbeing program, earning points ties the event into employees’ broader wellness goals, making participation feel part of a larger, ongoing commitment to their health.
4. Community Engagement reaches out to past participants, leveraging the positive experiences of those who have already been involved, which can help get others excited. 
5. In addition, Community Engagement engages new hires and Wellbeing Champions to ensure that the message is spread across departments and reaches people in different ways. 
6. There are also multiple touchpoints and channels for communication, which help ensure that everyone at OUC is aware of the event and how to get involved.

Q: How does OUC use Corporate 5k for strategic business purposes?
A: OUC uses Corporate 5k for strategic business purposes to align employee engagement, company culture, and community outreach with broader business goals. Here are some ways:

1. OUC is showing its commitment to employee wellbeing and fostering a positive work environment by strengthening employee morale.
2. Tying the event to our Wellbeing program encourages employees to prioritize their health and shows how OUC is investing in the employees’ health.
3. This event is a great opportunity for employees to network and team build by interacting with different departments or levels of leadership, breaking down silos, and strengthening internal relationships. 
4. Engaging employees in these types of activities allows them to feel like they’re connecting with the community and promoting goodwill which strengthens their connection with OUC.   
5. Leadership visibility demonstrates a commitment to wellness and can motivate others to participate. It's a way for leaders to actively promote company values and show they are invested in employees’ well-being.
6. When new hires see the company’s active involvement in fitness and wellness events, they get a firsthand look at the work-life balance and culture OUC offers. 
7. Celebrating the event with photos, videos, and success stories (e.g., a spotlight on employees hitting personal fitness milestones) can elevate OUC’s presence online and in the community.

This event fosters a more engaged workforce, builds stronger ties with the community, and creates positive opportunities that align with OUC’s business goals. It’s about creating a holistic approach that not only focuses on employee health and wellness but drives OUC’s culture, engagement, and visibility.

Q: Please share some of OUC’s workplace wellness initiatives and the benefits you’ve seen from implementing a workplace wellness program.
A: OUC’s workplace wellness initiatives focus on both physical and mental well-being, aiming to create a positive and supportive environment for employees. By offering a variety of wellness-focused benefits, OUC fosters a well-rounded, supportive environment that boosts both employee satisfaction and performance. Some benefits that OUC has noticed from implementing a workplace Wellness program are as follows:

1. Having fitness facilities, wellness days, and flu shots encourages employees to take care of their health, which can lead to improved employee health, fewer sick days, and a healthier workforce overall. 
2. OUC’s Wellness program shows that OUC cares about its employees’ well-being, which can increase loyalty, job satisfaction and reduce turnover. 
3. By supporting employees in maintaining their physical, mental, and financial health, OUC can see improved focus and productivity as employees feel supported in their personal and professional lives.
4. Preventive health measures like flu shots and wellness programs can reduce healthcare costs for both the employee and OUC.
5. Initiatives like community engagement, volunteering, and social programs can create a positive and collaborative culture within the organization.
6. Hybrid work arrangements and flexible scheduling can lead to improved work-life balance, which reduces stress and improves employees' overall happiness. 

Q: Is there anything you’d like to share about your company's experience at the AdventHealth Corporate 5k?
A: So many memories have been captured over the past 15+ years that OUC has participated in this event and include employee bonding moments, celebrating personal achievements, and building team spirit. One of our favorite memories includes the year that our submitted t-shirt design won the Best T-shirt Design competition! That was a fun moment to have one of our very own designers win the contest, and it contributed to our overall company morale and excitement about the race!

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a first-time AdventHealth Corporate 5K team?
A: Have lots of fun!

Want your team to be featured in our next spotlight? We’d love to hear how your company embraces wellness and teamwork! Submit your team’s info here to be highlighted in a future post.


About AdventHealth Corporate 5k

Held exclusively for Florida's corporate community; businesses and non-profit organizations form teams and participate in the AdventHealth Corporate 5k for camaraderie, friendly competition and celebrating with co-workers.


Use Facebook to Leave a Comment - We'd love to hear from you.