Happy at Work? Wellness Focus of Chamber Business Seminar

On Wednesday the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce and the Prevention Committee will host a seminar, Workplace Wellness Programs: Success Stories & How to Replicate Them, at 8 a.m. at Baci Grill in Cromwell.

Research shows that maintaining a well-informed, health-conscious workforce is the most efficient way for companies to reduce absenteeism and raise productivity on the job. However, providing the necessary information and motivation remains challenging for business owners and human resources professionals alike. Many employers underestimate the broad impact of unhealthy employees. 

It is critical to have a workforce that is reliable, motivated and committed. 

The event begins with a panel discussion and question-and-answer session with Dr. Thomas Danyliw, Middlesex Hospital; Brian Passon, Corporate Fitness and Health; Cathy Cormier, Human Resources, Tower Labs; Jill Swimmer, The Way Back Alcohol & Drug Rehabilitation; Andy Degling, Life Changes LLC. 

The Prevention Committee and its chairman, Harry Burr, continues to promote physical and mental well-being for the workforce of Middlesex County.

Last week’s 2011 Career Expo for high school students at Wesleyan University was a great success. We hosted more than 1,300 students from the Middlesex Consortium of Schools, making this year the largest ever in terms of attendance. 

One hundred and thirty career exhibitors offered students advice, including the Chamber Business/Education Advisory Council’s Career Expo Planning Committee chaired by Tom Serra and the Consortium of Schools Planning Committee, chaired by Donna Finkelstein. 

The 28^th annual golf tournament at Portland Golf Course is Friday. It will be a sellout with 144 golfers participating. There is a two-year waiting list for golfers to compete. John Kelly and his staff do an absolutely fantastic job of hosting the tournament and maintaining top conditions for all of the golfers. The professionalism of Farrell’s Restaurant, owned by Art and Mary Hetrick, should also be mentioned. They provide food and beverages throughout the day.

The Chamber’s Golf Tournament Committee worked hard planning the event. Honored at the event as the 2011 Robert Briggs “Good Guy” Award recipient will be John Dolishny of Tanger Factory Outlets in Westbrook.

The award is named after the chairman of the inaugural Golf Tournament Committee in 1984, Robert Briggs.

Dolsihny is general manager of Tanger and oversees the marketing, operations and management of the shopping center.  He has been with Tanger Properties for more than 15 years, where he began as the maintenance supervisor. Previously, he worked for Gannett Outdoor Advertising in New Haven for more than 12 years. 

He also donates time and raises money for the Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center, American Liver Foundation and the American Heart Association, is on the Chamber’s Board of Directors in addition to his seat on the Golf Committee. 

For information, contact Matt Fraulino at (860) 347-6924 or email matthew@middlesexchamber.com.