Vance named a certified healthy business for 2013 Published Feb. 20, 2014 VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Vance Air Force Base was named an Oklahoma Certified Healthy Business for 2013 during an awards luncheon held Feb. 13 in Norman, Okla. Two members of the 71st Medical Operations Squadron, Lt. Col. Brent Johnson, the commander, and Joel Urdang, the health promotion program coordinator, accepted the award for Vance AFB. The award recognizes businesses that are working to improve employee health by providing wellness opportunities and implementing policies that lead to healthier lifestyles. "Businesses that become certified know that creating a healthier workplace is important to productivity, morale and employee health," Urdang. Vance AFB was nominated under the governmental agencies category. Nominees are selected for certification based on the total percentage of points earned in nine categories, ranging from screening and evaluation to emotional well-being. The three levels of certification are basic, merit and excellence certification. Vance AFB received a merit recognition. An excellence certification requires an organization be 100 percent tobacco-free. Prior to the luncheon, a culture of wellness workshop was presented by Todd Whitthorne, the president of ACAP Health Consulting. "It was a really great workshop that looked at the opportunities businesses can take to help their employees be healthy and make healthier choices, which in turn helps to reduce health-care costs," said Urdang. The recognition program was started in 2003 by the Oklahoma Academy for State Goals, the Oklahoma Turning Point Council, the State Chamber and the Oklahoma State Department of Health.