The results of the American Heart Association 2021 Workplace Health Achievement Index were announced today, and Russell Sage College achieved Bronze level recognition for taking significant steps to build a culture of health and well-being for its workforce.

Sage’s Thrive @ Russell Sage initiative helped it stand out for the recognition. 

Since launching in 2020, Thrive has offered programming that emphasizes individual, social and environmental well-being for Sage employees, students and alumni.

Highlights have included an expert panel on mass vaccinations; a Positive Psychology symposium with renowned psychologist, educator and author Martin Seligman; a monthly “Wellness Wednesday” online presentation on a health-related topic; and in-person and online meditation and fitness classes. 

Thrive also collaborates on curricular initiatives with Sage’s undergraduate and graduate programs, and formed a working group to pursue a sustainability credential from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

Other initiatives tied to health and well-being at the college include a new basketball court and fitness center and plans for an outdoor fitness trail on Sage’s Albany campus. 

“I am proud of Sage and this recognition from the American Heart Association for prioritizing health and well-being,” said Joan Clifford, senior director of alumni relations and executive director of the Russell Sage College Alumnae Association, who coordinates Wellness Wednesdays and nominated Sage for the honor from the Heart Association. “I am grateful to work for an institution committed to supporting the physical and mental health of its workforce.”

The American Heart Association created the Workplace Health Achievement Index with its CEO Roundtable, a leadership collaborative of more than 45 members from some of America’s largest companies. The index is a web-based scorecard that evaluates the overall quality and comprehensiveness of a company’s workplace health program.

For more information, visit www.heart.org/WHSrecognitions. 

The honor from the Heart Association is the second time Russell Sage College has been recognized for employee wellness initiatives in 2021. Earlier this year, Sage was named to Albany Business Review’s Healthiest Employers List. 

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