Rivier University was recognized for its work in developing employee-centered wellness programs and initiatives this past summer when it was named a recipient of New Hampshire Business Review (NHBR) and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (HPHC) of New England’s Health Innovator Award. NHBR published a feature article in June about Rivier and its strong commitment to employee wellness.

Representatives from NHBR and Harvard Pilgrim were on campus Nov. 28 to present Rivier’s Human Resources team with the award, which was accepted by Diana Strano, director of Human Resources; Erica Raiche, benefits manager; and Alyssa Johnson, employment coordinator.

Rivier has been able to focus strongly on the physical dimension of wellness, offering flu shot clinics, healthy cooking classes, and free biometrics screenings provided by nursing faculty and students for employees and Sisters of the Presentation of Mary who are part of the Rivier community.  

“The companies that have been part of this award – and Rivier University is in a very elite group of companies around New Hampshire to receive it  – are really paving the way and getting engagement with wellness programs, which is hard to do,” said Sharron McCarthy, president and publisher of McLean Communications, Inc., which publishes NHBR.

“On behalf of Rivier University, I thank NHBR and HPHC for the Health Innovator Award,” said Strano. “It’s an honor to be recognized for our work in the area of employee health, wellness and prevention. I especially thank Erica Raiche, our benefits manager, who is responsible for the success of our programming, and Brent Winiger, our vice president, who enthusiastically supports the work we do.”

“As Rivier prepares its students to serve the world, this award energizes our department as we focus internally to serve our employees,” she added. “Our work is very meaningful to us, and the external recognition affirms that we are focused on the right initiatives at the right time.”