By definition, an executive team is supposed to lead through example. At Celtic Healthcare, they turned these words into action after CEO Arnie Burchianti began his push towards corporate health and wellness in the spring of 2008 by participating in the ChangeRx CEO Challenge, a 13-week fitness challenge along with 23 other CEOs in the Pittsburgh region. Burchianti brought home the gold, winning the challenge, and the opportunity to donate $15,000 to charitable organizations of his choice, including Celtic Charities. Also through Burchianti's association with the CEO Challenge, Celtic Healthcare was able to put its executive team members up for the same challenge.
Beginning this journey in September 2008, the team recently 'weighed in' for their final results. The results are not based on weight loss only, but other determinants, such as cardiac health, strength and flexibility. Technically, there are two winners - one from the male team members and one from the female team members. Kurt Baumgartel, COO, and Jodi McKinney, Director of Business Development have been announced as the two winners! All participants achieved significant health improvements and learned a lot about the importance of nutrition and fitness.
"When I started this adventure, I never in my wildest dreams thought that I'd be a winner," says Jodi McKinney. "This has been a very special and rewarding experience, and I'm so proud of everyone for their accomplishments. We kept each other motivated, and it was a great team and relationship-building time for all of us.
"This was no joke!"says Kurt Baumgartel. "We had to work hard from day one. We were really in competition with ourselves and statistical figures. Everyone took this seriously and we are pleased with the results."
As the leader of Celtic Healthcare, Burchianti feels that it is his duty to demonstrate and support the importance of the entire organization embracing health and wellness.
"Health and wellness can only spread through an organization if it's embraced by leadership first,"says Arnie Burchianti. "Through the CEO Challenge and now the executive team completing their phase, we are well on
our way to an organization with one goal and mission in terms of overall
wellness."
With the CEO Challenge and Executive Team Challenge now completed, Celtic Healthcare is looking to roll out Phase III of their health and wellness plan in 2009, which will involve various other members of the Celtic team.
"This team all worked hard to achieve the results they did," says Albert Eiler, ChangeRx President and Coach. "For a group of professionals, I'm impressed by the way they can get down in the gym!"
In addition to all the individual benefits of this program, participation will reduce health insurance costs by thousands of dollars. Driving these costs down will benefit all involved, including Celtic team members and their families.
