On February 5, 2025, the Utah Business of Health Event, organized by Get Healthy Utah, The Utah Worksite Wellness Council, and Utah Community Builders, took place at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. The event, themed "Well Connected," brought together 70 business and health leaders from across Utah to explore the impact of social connections on employee and community well-being. Highlights included expert panels and roundtable discussions on enhancing professional and personal networks, team engagement, burnout prevention, and leadership development. The event emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to improve the health and quality of life for all Utahns.
Sponsors
EvolvedMD integrates mental health services into primary care, addressing limited access, provider shortages, and fragmented care. Their approach enhances patient outcomes, reduces costs, and supports both patients and providers with significantly better results in depression and anxiety.
Health Movement, founded by Rich Miller, introduced the a universal health tracking platform. This innovative platform offers free solutions for data collection, analysis, and reporting, enhancing accessibility for various organizations.
Expert Panel
The Utah Wellbeing Project, presented by Dr. Courtney Flint, examines the factors contributing to a good life across Utah's communities. The project's research indicates that wellbeing includes physical and mental health, social connections, and living standards. Key findings reveal that while domains like safety, family, and connection with nature are highly rated, areas such as education, social connections, and transportation need improvement. Community connection and activities like walking and biking correlate with higher wellbeing. Concerns vary, with some desiring faster economic development for more opportunities, while others worry about traffic and loss of small-town feel. Top concerns statewide include water supply, air quality, and affordable housing. Overall, businesses can play an important role in enhancing community wellbeing
The University of Utah Resiliency Center, under the direction of Dr. Amy Locke, is dedicated to promoting optimal health and well-being using a holistic, people-centered strategy. The center tackles burnout and moral distress, fostering a culture of community, connection, and purpose through initiatives like resilience-building programs and Code Lavender for crisis support. It uses a three-tiered support system and offers resources like wellbeing toolkits, aiming to empower individuals and improve the overall work environment. This approach seeks to address stress injuries and improve joy in work by focusing on the needs of individuals, teams, and leadership within the organization.
Nicole Carpenter's presentation on strengths-based leadership emphasizes that effective leaders leverage their authentic selves and build teams with complementary skills. The core idea is to focus on individuals' strengths rather than weaknesses to boost productivity and create a positive work environment. By understanding team strengths and navigating dynamics effectively, leaders can foster collaboration and improve communication. A strengths-based approach aims to maximize potential and improve overall performance, as highlighted by the ElevateHER Challenge, which promotes women in leadership and equitable practices.
Round Table Discussions
During the 2025 Utah Business of Health Roundtables, participants engaged in dynamic discussions, rotating through tables guided by knowledgeable moderators. They shared insights, explored current practices, and discussed resources. The event created an environment of learning and collaboration, leaving participants inspired and equipped with practical strategies to implement in their workplaces. The roundtable groups included:
- Utah Wellbeing Survey
- Resiliency Center Programs
- Gallup Strengths-Based Leadership
- Division of Outdoor Recreation
- Health Movement
- One Kind Act a Day
- General Well Connected Table
Conclusion
Participants left feeling motivated to promote employee mental health and were equipped with the resources and strategies to make a difference. We are grateful to everyone who attended and to the amazing partners, sponsors, and speakers who made this event possible!
