MADISON, N.J., April 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Institute for Health and Productivity Management (IHPM) honored Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, with the Level 1 Corporate Health and Productivity Award earlier this month at its 12th annual conference in Orlando, Florida.

"With its HealthyQuest employee wellness program, Quest Diagnostics fosters a workplace culture that empowers employees to understand their health risks, encourages healthy behaviors and improves productivity," said Sean Sullivan, President and CEO of IHPM.

Quest Diagnostics launched the HealthyQuest initiative in 2005. The foundation of HealthyQuest is the company's Blueprint for Wellness® health risk assessment service, with its panel of up to 30 laboratory tests, which helps individuals identify their health risks. The company offers its Blueprint for Wellness service at no charge to its more than 40,000 U.S. based employees as well as to their spouses or domestic partners.

In 2011, participation in Blueprint for Wellness at Quest Diagnostics reached 38,500 lives, which reflects more than 70 percent of the company's employees and an additional 9,500 spouses and domestic partners. Each Blueprint for Wellness participant receives a consumer-friendly report, which includes laboratory test results, a health assessment, a health quotient score and a "tear out" summary page they can take to their doctor. Employees are supported locally in their quest for better health by hundreds of employee health promotion volunteers sharing important health tips and information, and facilitating on-site programs such as tobacco cessation, weight loss and fitness, among others.  

"Quest Diagnostics is honored to receive this prestigious award for the first time," said David W. Norgard, Vice President, Human Resources. "We are proud of our company, our HealthyQuest employee volunteers, and our employees, who continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to building a culture of health in which we each aim to understand our risks and improve our quality of life through healthier choices." The IHPM Level 1 Corporate Health and Productivity Award is the highest level of recognition for first-time applicants such as Quest Diagnostics.

For more information about Blueprint for Wellness, visit www.BlueprintforWellness.com.

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics is the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services that patients and doctors need to make better healthcare decisions. The company offers the broadest access to diagnostic testing services through its network of laboratories and patient service centers, and provides interpretive consultation through its extensive medical and scientific staff. Quest Diagnostics is a pioneer in developing innovative diagnostic tests and advanced healthcare information technology solutions that help improve patient care. Additional company information is available at QuestDiagnostics.com. Follow us at Facebook.com/QuestDiagnostics and Twitter.com/QuestDX.

About IHPM

The Institute for Health and Productivity Management (IHPM) is a global non-profit enterprise created in 1997 to establish the full value of employee health as an investment in workplace productivity and business performance.  The Institute champions the idea of health as human capital - and the greatest untapped source of competitive advantage in a global marketplace.  Health promotion and care delivery models that can improve functional health and positively impact total labor costs - rather than just health care costs - get employers to a new "bottom line" that makes health an asset rather than an expense.  The Institute is working with employers, providers and governments globally to help build, manage and measure these models.

Quest Diagnostics Contacts:
Media: Caitlin McHugh, 973-520-2800
Investors: Kathleen Valentine, 973-520-2900

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics