Altru Health System earns Certified Blue Zones Worksite status, transforming workplace well-being

[John Brown]

Altru Health System earns Certified Blue Zones Worksite status, becoming the first organization in North Dakota to secure this nationally recognized designation by implementing evidence-based improvements to workplace culture, policies and environments that make healthy choices easier for employees, visitors and patients alike.

The Certified Blue Zones Worksite certification draws on decades of community health research from the Blue Zones Project, which focuses on helping organizations create environments that support longer, healthier lives using proven principles that encourage movement, nutrition, purpose, and social connection throughout the workday.

What the Certified Blue Zones Worksite designation means​

Blue Zones Project’s Well-Being Certification recognizes employers that demonstrate a deep commitment to employee health and longevity by aligning workplace systems and structures with behaviors shown to support long, healthy lives. The process includes transforming policies, social networks, natural movement opportunities, food environments and purpose-driven activities so healthy choices become easier, automatic and sustainable for staff.

For Altru, this multi-year effort extended beyond simple programs to institutional changes such as nutrition-focused food options, guided walking groups, dedicated relaxation spaces, and leadership training creating a workplace that not only fosters wellness but helps reduce stress, burnout and healthcare costs.

Measurable Impact on Employee Well-Being​

Altru’s participation in the Blue Zones approach produced measurable outcomes tied directly to organizational health and financial performance. Over the course of the initiative:

• Healthcare cost reductions reached approximately 26.4%, demonstrating strong financial benefits alongside health improvements.
• Employee participation was high: hundreds joined walking groups, attended purpose-driven workshops, or completed wellness-focused events.
• Leadership engagement through dedicated well-being workshops empowered managers to champion wellness across teams.

These results helped strengthen engagement, reinforce pride in the workplace, and further support Altru’s mission as a healthcare provider that values holistic workforce health.

Key Initiatives Behind Certification​

To meet rigorous Blue Zones certification criteria, Altru deployed several targeted strategies:

• Healthy food options: Reworking on-site food services so nutritious, plant-forward meals are more accessible.
• Movement encouragement: Adding indoor and outdoor walking trail signage to promote natural physical activity.
• Downshift and de-stress zones: Creating dedicated spaces for employees to relax, decompress or pray during the workday.
• Well-being assessments: Encouraging broad participation in assessments that help tailor wellness initiatives to employee needs.

These actions align with the Blue Zones Power 9 principles, which emphasize environment-driven, sustainable behavior changes that support long-term health.

Leadership Commitment and Cultural Impact​

Altru executives have framed the certification as more than a wellness badge, it represents a culture shift in how the organization supports its people. Meghan Compton, Chief Administrative Officer, highlighted that the certification reflects the dedication of staff who embody health and compassion in their daily work.

Blue Zones CEO Ben Leedle emphasized on the significance of Altru's achievements, noting that healthcare organizations face some of the most intense workplace stressors in the nation and that this certification positions Altru to build on its progress in sustaining employee well-being.

Why This Certification Matters​

Workplace well-being has become a strategic priority for grappling with high organizational turnover, absenteeism, and healthcare costs. Achieving Blue Zones Worksite certification demonstrates that intentional, evidence-based changes can:

• Strengthen employee resilience and morale.
• Drive healthy behaviors that reduce preventable health risks.
• Improve organizational performance and operational outcomes.

This recognition also places Altru among a growing cohort of national institutions that prioritize systematically, environmental approaches to health rather than short-term wellness campaigns.

Broader Context: Blue Zones Project and Workplace Health​

Founded on research identifying regions with exceptional longevity the original “Blue Zones” the Blue Zones Project brings those learnings into everyday settings like worksites, schools and communities. Certification requires organizations to implement changes that make healthier behaviors easier and more automatic, a particularly relevant model as employers seek to retain talent and support workforce well-being.

What's Next for Altru​

With certification secured, Altru Health System is positioned to extend its culture of well-being deeper into its operations, continue evaluating key health indicators and share its playbook for success with other employers. The organization's journey highlights how healthcare providers can lead by example fostering sustainable health not only for patients but for their own teams.

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