Apparently "the happiest place on earth" also has  an excellent occupational safety and health program -- thanks to an award-winning physician.

Pamela Hymel, MD, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chief Medical Officer, has been named the 2011 recipient of the Global Leadership in Corporate Health Award, for her leadership in health and productivity management, where she is regarded as one of the nation’s experts. In addition to Disney, Hymel has implemented successful health and wellness programs at Hughes Electronics and Cisco Systems.

The award, sponsored by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) and the National Business Group on Health (the Business Group), honors the achievements of individuals who demonstrate excellence and leadership in implementing programs that improve the health and productivity of the workforce.  

ACOEM president Warner Hudson, MD, said Hymel creates a "culture of health" in the workplace.

At Disney, Hymel integrated a segment-wide health and wellness strategy for parks and resorts, including Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Lines and Disney Vacation Clubs. She is also responsible for implementing a segment-wide electronic medical record, with integration into risk management, safety and HRIS systems as well as developing standardized practices and processes with a focus on improved efficiency, outcomes and cost effectiveness.

Dr. Hymel is active in a number of professional organizations, participates in research projects on health and productivity and has published in peer-reviewed medical journals. She is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Preventive Medicine and is a Fellow of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

About ACOEM

The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) represents nearly 5,000 physicians specializing in occupational and environmental medicine. Founded in 1916, ACOEM is the nation’s largest medical society dedicated to promoting the health of workers through preventive medicine, clinical care, disability management, research, and education. For more information, visit www.acoem.org.

About the National Business Group on Health — The National Business Group on Health is the nation's only non-profit organization devoted exclusively to representing large employers' perspective on national health policy issues and providing practical solutions to its members' most important health care problems. The Business Group helps drive today's health agenda while promoting ideas for controlling health care costs, improving patient safety and quality of care and sharing best practices in health benefits management with senior benefits, HR professionals, and medical directors from leading corporations. For more information, visit www.businessgrouphealth.org.