MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 19, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN) is providing its employees an incentive to improve their fitness that they can literally take to the bank. Virgin HealthMiles, the centerpiece of the company's new wellness program, enables employees to earn up to $500 a year for staying active and following a healthier lifestyle.
The new wellness initiative was created to harness and coordinate the company's various health-related programs. On Aug. 3, First Horizon began offering Virgin HealthMiles to all employees. It is part of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and is committed to developing innovative programs that empower Americans to take greater control of their health and fitness.
By wearing a GoZone pedometer and tracking daily activity, employees will accumulate points (HealthMiles) toward a reward based on their levels of activity. Moderate activity pays off -- walking, playing with the kids, cycling. Participation is optional and requires employees to make a $2.50 contribution each payday, which is every two weeks, to the cost of the program.
As part of the program, a HealthZone kiosk, which measures weight, body fat and blood pressure, is located at First Horizon's downtown headquarters building. Other company sites will also receive HealthZone measurement stations. Employees will measure their key health stats in addition to wearing pedometers to track their daily activity. There is also an interactive Web site where employees can upload the data captured by their pedometers, monitor their health stats captured by the HealthZone, log other activities and calories burned, challenge other employees to "fitness competitions" and monitor their success.
"We hope this spirit of fun and competitiveness will encourage employees to get moving and take a more active role in their health and well-being," said John Daniel, executive vice president of human resources for First Horizon. "The program will not only motivate employees, but also will reward them for getting physically active. It's an investment in all our futures."
About First Horizon
The approximately 6,000 employees of First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN) provide financial services through about 180 bank locations in and around Tennessee and 21 FTN Financial Group offices in the U.S. and abroad. First Tennessee has the leading combined market deposit share in the 17 Tennessee counties where it does business and one of the highest customer retention rates of any bank in the country. FTN Financial is an industry leader in fixed income sales, trading and strategies for institutional clients in the U.S. and abroad. FHN has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by AARP and Working Mother magazines. More information can be found at www.fhnc.com.
About Virgin HealthMiles
Virgin HealthMiles provides employee health programs that pay people to get active. The company's Pay-for-Prevention(tm) approach, based on physical activity and healthy lifestyle change, attracts an average of 40% of employees who participate, which helps organizations reduce medical costs and improve employee productivity and satisfaction. Over 100 industry leaders, including American Diabetes Association, APL Limited, Commonwealth of Kentucky, First Horizon National Corp., Hospital Corporation of America-Shared Services, Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, and SunGard, have selected Virgin HealthMiles' award-winning program for their employees. For more information, visit www.virginhealthmiles.com.
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