Losing weight, gaining recognition

In just a short period of time Third Federal Savings and Loan’s Commit to Fit program has improved the health of many of its employees. In 20 weeks, 60 associates have lost a combined 1,000 pounds.

For its work, the company and its leader, Marc Stefanski, have been recognized by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.

Stefanski, chairman and CEO, is being honored for the company’s program with the James Smith Public Leadership Award, an honor earned last year by the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.

“This is a program that is endorsed and lived by me right along with everybody else,” Stefanski says. “I can’t say to people, ‘I’m encouraging you to do this, this and this, and here are the incentives,’ and then go out and be a chain smoker. I exercise and try to keep myself in shape. I participate in as many events as I can here. My family shows up, too. It makes a difference.”

The award is given for dedication to reducing the risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease. But Stefanski didn’t support the creation of the program to garner honors.

“We don’t consider this a campaign for a short period of time,” he says. “This is a long-term commitment to affect people’s lives in a positive, healthy way. It’s not a short-term campaign where we’re looking for some short-term result.”