Emory University issued the following announcement on June 13.
Healthy Emory’s 6th annual wellness champion appreciation luncheon took place June 9 to celebrate the work and dedication of wellness champions across Emory. This year’s luncheon was held at Convocation Hall and was the first in-person event for champions since 2019.
Emory's large network of 133 volunteer wellness champions represents more than 85 different Emory University and Emory Healthcare departments, divisions and operating units. These volunteers help launch, market and sustain new and existing health and wellness programs. Most importantly, they support and encourage their colleagues to adopt and maintain healthy habits.
During his keynote address, Tim Cunningham, co-chief well-being officer for Woodruff Health Sciences Center, emphasized the vital role wellness champions play in building a culture of health and well-being at Emory.
“Well-being practices are as diverse as this amazing country in which we live. It is our role to learn what works for us and how it changes over time. Even more, it is our role to learn and understand what works for our Emory colleagues and teams. When we learn that, we must continue to support and encourage them,” Cunningham said.
The event also featured a wellness champion spotlight that highlighted the significant work led by Amanda Thomas at Emory Healthcare’s Decatur Operating Unit. In addition to her regular wellness champion duties, Amanda coordinated a new initiative in partnership with Kaiser Permanente to offer monthly webinars for employees on a variety of health topics.
Rookie of the Year awards recognized two new wellness champions who have shown outstanding performance and excelled in their roles. In addition, 27 wellness champions received service anniversary awards to recognize their many years of commitment to employee health and well-being.
Rookie of the Year awards
Peter Shirts
Music and dance librarian, Emory University Libraries
Peter Shirts began serving as a wellness champion in January 2021. During his time as a champion, he has helped library employees stay physically active, eat better and better manage their stress. He has promoted walking groups, assisted employees with wellness challenges in Healthy Emory Connect and coordinated staff competitions focused on drinking water and “meatless Mondays.” He also encourages healthy stress management practices with wellness bingo and promotes meditation classes.
Jodie Brooks
Marketing events specialist, Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Jodie Brooks has been a wellness champion since October 2020. Her work with ESJH employees has focused on staying physically active and managing stress. Over the past year as a wellness champion, she has promoted participation in walking groups and challenges, encouraged team sports and coordinated coloring stations for stress management. She also encouraged employees to get active by joining Walk to Jerusalem, a community program aimed at increasing physical activity through a virtual tour of Jerusalem.
Service anniversary awards
1 year of service
- Adam Montgomery, Emory Hillandale Hospital
- Amy Suzanne Jarrell, Emory University Hospital Midtown
- Inez Efejuku, Emory University Hospital
- Javier Valle, School of Medicine
- Jessica Robinson, Oxford College
- Lauren Overton-Kirk, School of Medicine
- Letorsha Hom, The Emory Clinic
- Narada Cunningham, The Emory Clinic
- Rachelle Stammen, Emory National Primate Research Center
- Stephanie Gardner, The Emory Clinic
- Willetta Marshall, Emory Healthcare
- Alan Polson, Campus Services
- Elizabeth Miller, Candler School of Theology
- Lisa Jewell, The Emory Clinic
- Melissa Gayle, Emory Decatur Hospital
- Stacy Matthews, Campus Services
- Anthony Woods, Emory Blomeyer Health Fitness Center
- Joyce Oda-Story, Office of the Controller
- Samantha Henry, Emory University Hospital
- Amanda Yu-Nguyen, Oxford College
- Kore Breault, Goizueta Business School
- Terry Martin, Emory Healthcare
- Adam Malm, School of Nursing
- Melanie Hof, Emory Orthopaedics and Spine Center
- Pam Somerset, Winship Cancer Institute
- Sabrina Callahan, The Carter Center
Original source can be found here.
Source: Emory University
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