Each year, we host wellness challenges, a friendly competition for bragging rights and fun prizes among associates. In 2017, the Global Relay Challenge had 616 associate participants from 1 countries, Measure Your Muscles had 105 participants and the Body Composition and Flexibility Screening had 83 participants.
As an incentive, associates who participate in wellness activities and get regular medical, dental and vision screenings receive points through our Wellness Rewards Portal which can be redeemed for gift cards. In 2017, we saw a 71 percent increase in orders placed through the portal.
Our commitment to healthy associates has earned Terumo BCT two top honors in 2017.
For the third year in a row, Terumo BCT has been recognized as one of 2017 100 Healthiest Employers in America in recognition of our associates' commitment to improving their health and taking advantage of our exceptional corporate wellness programming. We were ranked 22 out of 100 companies on the list.
In addition, for the first time, Terumo BCT has received the Gold Workplace Health Achievement recognition from the American Heart Association (AHA) for taking significant steps to build a culture of health in the workplace.
Mark Bishop, Senior Vice President, Associate & Organizational Effectiveness, said,
Terumo BCT has for many years invested in associate wellness programs. We do this because we firmly believe in the benefit to both the associate and the business' ability to provide products and solutions that improve lives. These two awards are recognition of our ongoing commitment to wellness as well as how our associates have embraced wellness in their own lives!