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WILKES-BARRE — Monday, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, formerly Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, received two awards from American Heart Association for its employee wellness programs.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield was awarded the AHA’s Start! Fit Friendly Company Gold Award and the Worksite Innovation Award.

For the sixth consecutive year, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield received the Start! Fit Friendly Company Gold Award for its employee programs on nutrition, physical activity and developing a healthy lifestyle.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield was one of 36 companies, nationwide to receive the “gold” status.

The Wilkes-Barre-based healthcare provider’s Education, Action and Support for all Employees program (E.A.S.E) program received the AHA’s Worksite Innovation Award.

The E.A.S.E. program offers employees information on stress management for the workplace.

“Now that we are part of Highmark Inc., our company will continue to focus on the wellness of employees — our most valuable asset — just as we will maintain our commitment to the health of our community,” Brian Rinker, senior vice president of Highmark Northeastern Pennsylvania region, said in a written press release.

Last month, Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania merged with Highmark Inc. Renamed Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, the company employees over 4,700 people in Northeastern and Western Pennsylvania and serves nearly 3.2 million heath care members.