At MSD Merck Sharp & Dohme AG, the research-based biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Lucerne, Switzerland, "Wellbeing" is part of corporate responsibility. LIVE It is an internal MSD program. Joy Moeller, Assoc. Director General Accounting and Lead of the MSD Health Program in Switzerland, provides information:
1. WHAT DOES THE LIVE IT PROGRAM INCLUDE?
LIVE IT is a comprehensive, integrated approach for us employees at MSD to promote well-being. The program is based on four pillars and includes physical, emotional, social and financial well-being. LIVE IT offers a combination of programs, events and platforms with a wealth of information to help us at MSD pursue our health goals: PREVENT IT to optimize physical health; BALANCE IT to improve emotional, mental and financial well-being; FUEL IT to better understand nutrition and achieve moderate weight; and MOVE IT to facilitate the integration of fitness into our daily lives.
2. WHAT HAS MOVED LIVE IT SO FAR?
LIVE IT is successful because it is a program from employees for employees. Our team of ambassadors is as diverse as possible. The team members work in different departments, come from one of the four different MSD locations in the canton of Lucerne and have different nationalities, talents, interests and cultural backgrounds. The only thing we all have in common is our passion for well-being! This diversity has led to the results we see today: more creativity, more commitment and enthusiasm for our events, all based on meeting the needs of our MSD colleagues. Our successes include charity work, participation in environmental sustainability initiatives, the organisation of fitness tests, the provision of preventive vaccinations and workshops on various health-related topics. We have also integrated balanced nutrition awareness into our daily lives, for example by replacing junk food with healthy snacks and taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Overall, we have created an internal culture of well-being.
3. WHAT DO THE PARTICIPATION OF MSD EMPLOYEES IN THE SWISSCITYMARATHON - LUCERNE AND LIVE IT HAVE IN COMMON?
In order to fulfill MSD's mission to save and improve the lives of our patients, we must be healthy ourselves. Only if we feel well can we give our best. Many colleagues, supported by LIVE IT, invested a lot of effort and energy in the months, weeks and days before the marathon day. The Swiss City Marathon is an annual event and a symbol of effort and commitment to one's own physical health.
At this point, on behalf of MSD, we wish all runners at the SwissCityMarathon - Lucerne 2019 a lot of friends and good luck in the sense of LIVE IT!
MSD AND UNICEF: GOING THE EXTRA MILE
MSD Merck Sharp & Dohme AG is Charity Supporting Partner at the SwissCityMarathon - Lucerne. Goal-oriented, ambitious and with the will to persevere are decisive criteria in both the sporting and entrepreneurial context. MSD supports UNICEF Switzerland and Liechtenstein, the charity partner at the SwissCityMarathon - Lucerne. Runners who complete their 10-, 21- and 42-kilometer distances can also run the UNICEF Extra Mile for children in Tajikistan, so that they have access to clean water and better sanitary facilities in health centers. At least 2,000 runners will have to travel the UNICEF Extra Mile to receive the CHF 20,000 donation promised by MSD.