For the second year in a row, MIIA received national recognition for its comprehensive employee health and wellness programs.

At a June ceremony in Washington, D.C., the Validation Institute, a leading professional organization that evaluates health care solutions and services, presented MIIA with a 2023 Health Value Award in the Employee Engagement – Large category.

“It’s amazing that a municipal association, which doesn’t have direct access to employees of the member groups, can get this level of engagement in its programs just by the extent and quality of their offerings,” said Benny DiCecca, CEO of the Validation Institute.

Al Lewis, CEO of Quizzify, one of MIIA’s partners in implementing wellness programs, noted that MIIA has a far more robust wellness initiative than most of its peers, with dedicated staff going into the field to directly engage with members through face-to-face programs.

“I am confident that the enthusiasm of the members who participate played a big role in MIIA earning this award,” he said.

The Health Value Awards recognize employers who have implemented health, benefits and/or wellness programs for their population and have shown significant cost-savings, improvements in health outcomes, and/or the ability to engage members in improving their own health.

MIIA’s Well Aware program helps its members build a workplace culture of health and well-being through a range of program components, including worksite and online courses, grants for wellness-boosting activities, and online wellness challenges.