How Southern Tier Health Care System transformed its community using RGER’s Wellbeing+ app

About Southern Tier Health Care System

Southern Tier Health Care System is a rural health network focused on improving community health and wellbeing – extending far beyond their own workforce. STHCS develops and implements programs that identify and remove barriers to health care – ranging from training and accrediting local EMS agencies to promoting mental health by educating community members in life-saving techniques such as Narcan training, Stop the Bleed, and suicide prevention. In February 2025, they launched activity tracking and wellbeing challenges to not only reinforce healthy behaviors, but also to include the wider community.

STHCS’ focus on community highlights one of the reasons they stand out from the typical organizations that use our Reward Gateway | Edenred wellbeing app. Most of our clients provide the app as a means to build community within the company – as a benefit of employment and a way to demonstrate a commitment to the wellbeing of the people that work for them. Southern Tier Health Care System uses the activity tracking and wellbeing challenges to encourage healthy habits not only for employees, but also for anyone who lives and works within the three counties they serve in the Southern Tier region of New York.

STHCS partnered with Reward Gateway | Edenred to connect, engage and support participants using Wellbeing+. Their goal is to grow their participation base by inviting community members to join the app. They’ve reached out to specific groups like teachers, firefighters and EMS through social media. Monthly individual and team challenges keep participants moving and also serve as a platform to promote upcoming STHCS events.

Success with creative outreach

Because their program is built for the community, STHCS makes great use of their public social media accounts. The STHCS team promotes monthly challenges via Facebook and even awards raffle prizes to participants using an animated prize wheel. The team focuses on variety to get people engaged, as well. One month may feature the “Eat the Rainbow” nutrition challenge, and the next is a classic step challenge – perhaps in teams to give those just starting their fitness journey a fair chance to win – and then a wellness scavenger hunt to encourage participants to explore new ways to stay active.

“Our recent social media efforts have successfully boosted engagement in our wellness programming! The May Step Challenge saw 58 participants syncing over 8.3 million steps, with strong momentum continuing into June. We’ve also seen the social side thrive, with 121 new friendships formed through the app. From challenges to chats, our themed posts are building a connected, motivated, and wellness-focused community – which is just what we strive for at STHCS!” – Donna Kahm, President & CEO of STHCS

The STHCS team uses some of the educational resources provided in the app to enrich their programs, but they also appreciate the ability to build in their own content over time. One of the features appreciated most by participants is the ability to chat within the group, allowing them to share progress, encourage one another, and post personal photos. Participants can set their screen names to be public or private, and some even link up with family and friends to view one another's step counts for a little extra encouragement and accountability. 

Community members have reported increased satisfaction and motivation from the program. In addition to wellbeing content, STHCS uses the app to announce key events like blood drives and car seat safety checks. It’s a tool that not only provides direct value to its users – but also helps get the word out about all the other ways STHCS supports health and wellbeing across the region.

Do you live in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua or Allegany Counties in New York? We encourage you to get involved!

Interested to see how Reward Gateway | Edenred can help you make your organization – or community – a better place to work (and live)? Schedule a call with one of our friendly employee engagement experts today!