CARY, N.C.–(APRIL 14, 2016)–The CEO Roundtable on Cancer has accredited The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, with the CEO Cancer Gold Standard™, recognizing its efforts to reduce the risk of cancer for its employees and covered family members.

The CEO Roundtable on Cancer, a nonprofit organization of CEOs, founded by former President George H.W. Bush, developed and administers the Gold Standard, a workplace accreditation program which encourages and recognizes the commitment of organizations that take concrete actions to address cancer in their workplaces. Nearly 200 private, nonprofit and government employers in a wide range of occupational categories have earnedGold Standard accreditation, including the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and a number of NCI-designated cancer centers.

“The Ohio State University is leading by example in promoting healthier behavior,” said Robert A. Bradway, chairman and chief executive officer of Amgen and chairman of the CEO Roundtable on Cancer. “I hope the leadership and commitment of President Drake and the teams at Ohio State and Wexner Medical Center will inspire other universities and medical centers to become Gold Standard accredited.”

To earn Gold Standard accreditation, an employer must establish programs to reduce cancer risk by taking concrete actions in five key areas: establishing policies and programs to reduce cancer risk by prohibiting tobacco use and supporting tobacco cessation efforts; promoting physical activity, healthy nutrition and weight management; providing health insurance options that include detecting cancer at its earliest stages, access to quality care and participation in cancer clinical trials; promoting employee awareness of these initiatives; and supporting the needs of cancer survivors in the workplace.

Ohio State’s path to accreditation began at OSU’s Wexner Medical Center, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, which achieved Gold Standard accreditation in 2012. Following Wexner’s example, OSU President Dr. Michael V. Drake ensured that Ohio State would be the first Big Ten University to earn Gold Standard accreditation.

Dr. Bernadette Melnyk, Associate Vice President for Health Promotion, University Chief Wellness Officer, and Dean of the College of Nursing, introduced the Gold Standard program at OSU, enabling the University to begin a rigorous but rewarding process to achieve accreditation. Melnyk said that in the goal to become the world’s healthiest university and building a sustained culture of wellness, being tobacco free is essential as it is the leading cause of preventable death and Ohio State wants all of its Buckeyes to lead long, healthy lives.

In addition to NCI and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 NCI-designated cancer centers and more than 100 other hospitals have earned Gold Standard accreditation. CEOs from many industries are keenly aware of the life-improving impact they can have on health and controlling healthcare costs when they address cancer and other chronic diseases. The University of North Dakota, the first University to earn Gold Standardaccreditation, joins The Ohio State University and the other Gold Standard universities and school districts, including Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Minot State University, North Dakota College of Science, Oregon Health & Science University, Quinnipiac University – North Haven Campus, Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Public Health and the School District of Palm Beach County.

About The Ohio State University

Established in 1870, The Ohio State University’s main Columbus campus is one of America’s largest and most comprehensive. More than 58,000 students select from 15 colleges, 200 undergraduate majors, and 250 master, doctoral, and professional degree programs attend. As one of the nation’s top-20 public universities, Ohio State is further recognized by a top-rated academic medical center and a premier cancer hospital and research center.

About The CEO Roundtable on Cancer

The CEO Roundtable on Cancer was founded in 2001, when former President George H.W. Bush challenged a group of executives to “do something bold and venturesome about cancer within your own corporate families.” The CEOs responded by creating and encouraging the widespread adoption of the CEO Cancer Gold Standard™ which calls for organizations to evaluate their health benefits and workplace culture and take extensive, concrete actions in five key areas of health and wellness to address cancer in the workplace. For more information on theCEO Cancer Gold Standard and the free web-based accreditation process, please visitwww.CancerGoldStandard.org.

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Contacts

CEO Roundtable on Cancer
Deborah Dion, Communications Manager
919-531-0962
Deborah.Dion@CEORoundtableOnCancer.org