As part of a new segment for the Wellness Champion newsletter, each month we will highlight a Wellness Connection team member. This month will feature Registered Dietitian and Wellness Consultant, Reshaunda Thornton. Tell us a little about yourself. As a dietitian, nutrition has been my passion, but my first love was science. Before focusing on […]
Author: Nikki Koehnemann
Wellness Champion Spotlight | Jean Fuchs in A&S Biology
Jean FuchsContract & Grants CoordinatorArts & Sciences | Biology Jean Fuchs has been an active and supportive Champion ever since she joined the Wellness Champion network in January of 2020. I’ve been particularly impressed by her efforts as Team Captain throughout the various challenges, as she promotes an inclusive and encouraging environment for her […]
Wellness Connection Staff Spotlight | Lauren Buschhorn, MS, CHES®
As part of a new segment for the Wellness Champion newsletter, each month we will highlight a Wellness Connection team member. This month will feature Wellness Coordinator Lauren Buschhorn. Tell us a little about yourself. Hello! I have served as Wellness Coordinator for four years at Washington University. In my role, I oversee the annual […]
Wellness Connection Team Member Spotlight | Emily Page, MS
As part of a new segment for the Wellness Champion newsletter, each month we will highlight a Wellness Connection team member. To kick us off, we’ll spotlight Emily Page, MS, our fearless leader and the Sr. Manager for Wellness & Benefits Projects. Tell us a little about yourself. What drew you to this line of […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight | Spring into Motion Team Captains
I’d like to recognize all of the Wellness Champions who rallied their teammates to join the new spring wellness challenge, Spring into Motion. Wellness Champions are provided with a toolkit for team captains that equips them with knowledge about the challenge and helps them think about how to encourage their coworkers to participate. They use […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight | Jennifer Byers in Department of Radiology
Jennifer Byers Research Patient Coordinator II Department of Radiology Since Jen Byers first joined the Wellness Champion network in December of 2019, her passion for her work and her role as a Champion in support of her colleagues has stood out to me. An active Champion, Jen participates in Wellness Connection programming, organizes events for […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight | Raema Howell, OFMD
Raema Howell, MSHI, BSN, RN Planner II, Activation & Logistics Operations and Facilities Management Dept. (OFMD) Raema began working at WashU one year ago, and joined the Wellness Champion network in fall of 2021. As a new employee, Raema wanted an opportunity within the organization to connect with the surrounding community and raise awareness about […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight | Jennifer Holzhauer, Psychiatry
Jennifer Holzhauer, MSW, LCSWChild & Adolescent Psychiatry Jennifer has taken an active approach to her role since joining the Champion network in January 2021. She immediately recruited several co-champions to help impact various divisions within the Department of Psychiatry: Angela Williams, Rebecca Light-Pearlman, and Katherine Aravamudan. Working together as a cohesive unit, they used the […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight | Katie Navo, IM-Medical Ocology
Katie Navo, MSN, RN, FNP-BCIM | Medical Oncology Katie joined the Wellness Champion network a little over one year ago; she dove right in by arranging for a Benefits Chat overview presentation for her workgroup in Medical Oncology, to help them prepare for the upcoming Benefits Open Enrollment. She’s also coordinated mindfulness presentations, regularly updates […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight | Colorful Choices Team Captains
I’d like to recognize all of the Wellness Champions who rallied their teammates to join the new summer wellness challenge, Colorful Choices. Thank you for your leadership and your commitment to Wellness Connection and your colleagues. Your ingenuity, determination, and creativity are inspiring. Approximately 900 WashU employees participated in the Colorful Choices campaign. The charts […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight: Hatice Goshtaiy
Hatice Goshtaiy, MS IM – Infectious Diseases Hatice has been with WashU for the past 14 years and a Wellness Champion for the last 2.5 years. Since joining the Champion network in January 2019, she has been a strong advocate for Wellness Connection programming in her department, working with her supervisor to promote resources and […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight: Champion Network
Wellness Champion Network As Wellness Connection Champions, we strive to promote a professional environment where people can be their whole selves, center learning & growth, and foster a culture that makes it easy for people to be well and do their jobs. The University provides resources to help our Champions connect with each other, learn […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight: WashU Couch to 5K Team Captains
I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize all of the Wellness Champions who rallied their teammates to join the spring wellness challenge, Couch to 5K. Championing a culture of wellness can be difficult in a shifting and virtual environment, and our network of Wellness Champions continues to communicate Wellness Connection programming to their colleagues […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight: Atiqua Burns & Cheryl Lyons
Atiqua Burns and Cheryl Lyons,Co-Champions in IM – Bone Marrow Transplant Atiqua and Cheryl joined the Wellness Champion network in February of 2020 – right before the world went topsy turvy. Over the past year, I have been continually impressed by their capacity to work together and take an active role in […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight: Stefani Weeden-Smith
Stefani Weeden-Smith, MPSGephardt Institute for Civic/Community Engagement I first met Stefani when I took one of her workshops through the Brown School continuing education program in the summer of 2019. We chatted during the break about some University wellness initiatives, and she joined the Champion network soon thereafter. Stefani really stepped up to foster a […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight: Sherry Lohmann
Sherry Lohmann,Program in Physical Therapy While Sherry officially joined the Wellness Champions in January of 2019, she has long been doing the work of a Wellness Champion. When I used to coordinate the onsite screenings, I could always count on Sherry to help promote the screening event in her building, rounding up employees who wanted […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight: Laurie Brady
Laurie Brady, Mail & Receiving Services (MaRs) This month’s spotlight shines on Laurie Brady, a Wellness Champion since October 2020. New to our network but not new to the work, Laurie has long been a champion of wellness in her personal and professional life. Laurie was nominated for the Champion Spotlight by fellow Champion Cheryl […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight: Walktober Team Captains
Faced with shifting responsibilities and with many of their coworkers in new, remote work environments, the Wellness Champions continue to promote a healthy workplace culture by participating in Wellness Connection programming and encouraging their colleagues to do the same. The graphs below demonstrate that while Champions make up 4% of total Walktober participants, they led […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight: Lara Jennings
Lara Jennings,Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) This month’s spotlight is on Lara Jennings, a Wellness Champion since May 2019. Lara supports her teammates by being a compassionate listener and connecting her workgroup with Wellness Connection resources. She fosters a community of well-being in her department by sending “Virtual Sunshine Committee” monthly emails, sharing […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight: Work of Art Team Captains
Wellness Connection is offering a new type of wellness challenge this summer; little did we know how timely this emotional fitness campaign would be when planning for it last fall. We’ve heard a lot of feedback from our Champion network on how Work of Art has been beneficial to them and their teammates, including this […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight: Chelsey Hundley
Chelsey Hundley, Weston Career Center in Olin Business School A Wellness Champion since the fall of 2018, Chelsey continually approaches her role with a positive attitude and enthusiasm. She’s great at building and maintaining relationships with her colleagues, and they know they can go to her for resources and with their questions. This year, Chelsey […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight: Heidi Klosterman in OGC
Heidi Klosterman,Office of General Counsel Heidi Klosterman has been a Wellness Connection Champion since the beginning of the program in 2015. She has always been an active member of the network, participating in our meetings, workshops, & programs, while promoting wellness opportunities to her friends and colleagues in the Office of General Counsel. During this […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight: Bridget Stevens in OFMD
Bridget Stevens,Operations & Facilities Management Department Bridget has hit the ground running since joining the Champion network in December 2019. She has worked closely with Wellness Connection and her co-champions in OFMD (Theresa Horn, Mike Thompson, Alicia Hubert, Ken Zimmerman, and Bryan Mezyk) to plan several dedicated screening events for her coworkers: On multiple occasions […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight: Sam Biver & the Healthy Work Center
Sam Biver, MPH, and the Healthy Work Center in the GMS Division Sam has been an integral part of our new strategy this year to mobilize the efforts of our Champion network, using the Human Centered Design approach to problem solving. He works closely with Wellness Connection to map out the strategy and co-facilitate the […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight: Coast to Coast Team Captains
Wellness Connection asked the Champions to support our 2019 wellness challenges by leading the way as Team Captains and encouraging their colleagues to participate. Our Champions did not disappoint. We saw record high participation in both of our 2019 wellness challenges, with 3,000+ participants in each! One in five. Out of every five team captains, […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight: Dani Tallchief
Dani Tallchief, RN, has been an exemplary Champion since joining us in 2018. Dani regularly participates in Wellness Connection programs and events, and supports University initiatives while personalizing wellness for the Department of Anesthesiology. Dani collaborated with Wellness Connection to host a screening for her department, in which 42 people learned their numbers and earned […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight: Karen Leingang
Karen Leingang has been a Wellness Connection Champion since the program started in 2015. She continually brings great ideas, insightful feedback, and a positive & inclusive attitude to our program. Some of Karen’s most notable accomplishments include: Regular communication of Wellness Connection programs; Volunteering on the Champion Leadership committee; Helped to organize a pilot Blood […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight: Erin Hogan & Deanna Blanchard
Erin Hogan and Deanna Blanchard are Wellness Connection Champions for the MyDay team who have hit the ground running in a unique situation. The entire MyDay team is a newly formed collection of WashU employees, senior leaders, and outside consultants, whose job is to address a major “once-in-a-generation” project for the University. Erin & Deanna […]
MyWay to Health Wellness Workshops
MyWay to Health is an on-site employee wellness program developed by leading experts in health and wellness at WashU. Deeply rooted in scientific evidence, expert opinion, and 25 years of research, MyWay to Health provides sound advice, as well as guidance and tips to help you take charge of your well-being. Attend an upcoming wellness […]
Wellness Connection Champion Spotlight: Linda Fleshman
Linda Fleshman regularly champions wellness in her personal and professional life. As a member of the Champion Leadership group, she was instrumental in researching, selecting, and teaching Microsoft Teams as the remote meeting technology we need to support our Champion network as we continue to grow. Thanks to her efforts, we’ll be able to meet remotely, […]
MyWay to Health Wellness Workshops
MyWay to Health is an on-site employee wellness program developed by leading experts in health and wellness at WashU. Deeply rooted in scientific evidence, expert opinion, and 25 years of research, MyWay to Health provides sound advice, as well as guidance and tips to help you take charge of your well-being. Learn more about the […]
ComPsych Work-Life Solutions
Work-Life Solutions offers free, confidential, 24/7 support, resources and information for every aspect of your life. This valuable benefit for you and your family provides resources and referrals for: Confidential emotional support from highly trained clinicians; Work-life resources from qualified referrals for just about anything on your to-do list; Legal guidance. Talk to attorneys for practical assistance […]
Wellness Connection Champion Spotlight: Onsite Screening Hosts
Special thank you to our pioneering hosts Donna MacKay, Atia Thurman, Linda Schreier, Lora Clark, Rhonda Kiely, Melissa Ruwitch, & Justin Linsenmeyer. Thanks to their efforts, their colleagues were able to get screened, learn vital health information, and walk away with a $50 gift card. Because these Champions did such a great job communicating their […]
Wellness Connection Champion Spotlight: 10K-A-Day Team Captains
During the April luncheons, Wellness Connection provided a sneak peek of the new activity challenge and asked the champions to participate, lead a team, & invite their colleagues to join in. You all knocked it out of the park: approximately 20% of all 10K-A-Day teams are led by Wellness Connection Champions – that’s amazing! 85% […]
Move Into Mindfulness
MOVE INTO MINDFULNESS Mind-Body Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a program that trains in mindfulness meditation to teach people how to: Reduce stress and anxiety Increase focus and concentration Manage health problems Live more fully productive lives Wellness Connection enlists Meg Krejci, Wellness Consultant for Mindfulness, to teach FREE ONSITE mindfulness classes for WashU employees. Meg’s […]
MyWay to Health Wellness Workshops
Learn more about the MyWay to Health program by attending one of their upcoming wellness workshops. Cooking with Herbs & Spices: School of Medicine CampusWednesday, June 19th from 12:00-1:00 PM in Mid Campus Center, Suite 2100This Wellness Workshop will highlight ways to use a variety of herbs and spices to boost the flavor of foods. […]
Summer Sun Safety
Too much unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression, and skin cancer. Even people in their twenties can develop skin cancer. It’s important to check in regularly with your primary care physician or dermatologist for skin cancer screenings and to discuss any concerns you may […]
Wellness Connection Champion Spotlight
Linda Schreier continually finds creative and fun ways to encourage her colleagues to participate in employee wellness at WashU: She regularly emails her office mates “wellness moments”, reminding them to take moment to get up from their desks; She’s been a team captain for the Division of Biostatistics in Tread the Med, WashU Moves, and […]
Wellness Connection Resources for Good Nutrition
We know that good nutrition and physical activity are keys to a healthy weight, but did you know the extent to which nutrition can impact our lives? Dietary factors influence certain conditions and diseases, and good nutrition can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and some cancers. Eating a healthy diet and keeping […]
The Value of Movement
Movement is a fundamental aspect of life. It affects everything from circulation to digestion to metabolism to immunity. The body contributes far more to our lives than just physical attributes such as strength and endurance – it plays a major role in emotions, learning, and relationships. By participating in the upcoming 10K-A-Day activity challenge, we can focus on […]
Wellness Connection Champion Spotlight
Linda Amos has been active in the employee wellness community for a long time. As a team captain for the Tread the Med and then WashU Moves activity challenges, Linda recruits many colleagues to join her team and incorporate movement into their daily lives. When Wellness Connection expanded the Champion network to the Med School […]
Wellness Connection University Partnership: MyWay to Health
MyWay to Health is an on-site employee wellness program developed by leading experts in health and wellness at Washington University. Deeply rooted in scientific evidence, expert opinion, and 25 years of research, MyWay to Health provides sound advice, as well as guidance and tips to help you take charge of your well-being. The MyWay to […]
Wellness Connection Champion Spotlight
This month I’d like to highlight the efforts of Cynthia Marich & Andrea Krussel and the good work they’ve been doing to foster a culture of health and well-being in their department. Yoga: A Practice in CommunityBy Andrea Krussel and Cynthia Marich Since July 2017, the Institute for Informatics (I2) has hosted a weekly yoga […]
Know Your Numbers and Earn Rewards
Schedule your annual health screening through Wellness Connection and establish a baseline of important biometric measurements. For optimal wellness, each of us should be armed with as much information about our body as possible. Knowing your A1C level, current blood pressure, cholesterol and other key indicators can empower you to make informed decisions about your […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight
This month I’d like to recognize each and every Wellness Champion in our network. I’m so proud of our group and the good work they’ve been doing. In 2018: Our network increased by 24 new champions; We established a Leadership group, which planned training presentation topics for the 2019 quarterly meetings and are working on […]
Wellness Connection Champion Spotlight: Leadership Group
The Wellness Connection Champions Leadership group had their inaugural meeting on Wednesday, 11/28. The leadership group serves as a mini-representation of the larger Wellness Connection Champion network, and will help the Wellness Connection team recruit, train, and deploy champions across the University to further our mission to promote employee health and wellness. During this productive […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight
Nicole Venteris has initiated a number of creative efforts to cultivate a culture of wellness within her department. This year, Nicole has organized healthy snack days to motivate her WashU Moves team, hosted a focus group to provide feedback on Wellness Connection strategy, and regularly updates a wellness bulletin board. At the conclusion of the […]
November is Diabetes Awareness month
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. It can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems if it’s not controlled. It is estimated that more than 24 million Americans have diabetes; of those, about 6 million don’t know they have the disease, and another 57 […]
Wellness Champion Spotlight
Kim Patterson joined the Wellness Champions in December of 2017, and since then has initiated several wellness events for her department at the Cortex. Most recently, Kim partnered with Wellness Connection to host a De-Stress Zone in August where 60+ members of Physicians Billing attended and relaxed with a chair massage, healthy snacks, and met […]
University Partnerships: Siteman Cancer Center
Early detection is the best tool in the fight against breast cancer. To improve the convenience and availability of mammography, the Siteman Cancer Center operates a mobile mammography van that offers screenings by appointment. The Siteman Cancer Center Mammography Van offers annual screenings for women age 40 and over who have no signs or symptoms of breast […]