Arising from the GMC's Health Care Task Force, the Well City Milwaukee initiative's goal has to achieve the "Well City" designation for Milwaukee from WELCOA (the Wellness Council of Amerca.)

That goal was achieved on March 18, 2010, when the official designation was made. Milwaukee is now officially a "Silver" level Well City, the largest in the nation. 

Cities becomes "Well Cities" by having at least 20% of the community's working population employed by Workplace Award-winning companies.  Awards have several levels and are earned by implementing a variety of health-related programs designed to increase the health and well-being of employees.

What are the benefits of becoming a "Well City"?  It's more than just bragging rights, although Milwaukee would be one of the first ten cities - as well as the largest - nationwide to achieve the designation.  It's about increasing the health, well-being, and quality of life of the working population and, in turn, dramatically reducing health care costs for area companies and organizations.  The New England Journal of Medicine reports that preventable illness accounts for approximately 70% of the burden of illness and its associated costs. Lowering these costs and increasing the health of the workforce provides a strong boost to the community.

The GMC Health Care Task Force promotes the Well City Initiative through information dissemination, providing companies with resources to add wellness programs, pushing for a tax credit for the costs companies incur with these programs, and overseeing the compliance process to have Milwaukee officially designated as a "Well City."

See Julia Taylor's interview at the 2009 Well Workplace Awards on March 4, 2009.