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 […]
Category: Well-Being
Resources for Infant Formula Shortage
UnitedHealthcare maternity nurses and advocates are available to WashU health plan members who are concerned about the current nationwide infant formula shortage.
Thrive tip: managing common work-related anxieties
Help manage common work-related anxiety with tips from Krista Jarvis, LPC, a clinical case manager in WashU’s Department of Psychiatry.
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 […]
Thrive tip: addressing anxiety through self-check-ins
Try self-check-ins to understand what you might be feeling and how you can help your body cope
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 […]
“In Their Shoes” Employee Spotlights
Get a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of WashU employees as they get their steps in and help us achieve our missions.
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 […]
How to Talk with Children About War
Resources and guidance for talking to your children about violence and war as well as support options available to you and your family.
Pain and Posture: Tips from WashU Physical Therapy
WashU Physical Therapy provides tips to help reduce pain you might be feeling.
Thrive tip: Find Happiness with Behaviors to Help You Overcome Adversity
Find happiness with these behaviors to help you overcome adversity in your life.
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 […]
Thrive tip: Tips to Care for Yourself When You’re Experiencing Burnout
Read tips to care for yourself or support a colleague when someone is experiencing burnout.
Thrive tip: Finding the Best Fit for Your Feet
Find the best fit shoe for your feet to help you stay active.
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 […]
Thrive tip: How to Incorporate Self-Care for Your Well-Being
We outlined some easy ways to start your own self-care routine, if you haven’t already.
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 […]
Empowered to live a healthy life ‘my way’
Wellness Connection’s MyWay to Health programs recognize that each employee is unique and has their own personalized definition of optimal health and well-being. Our mission is to support individuals, champion strengths, overcome barriers and create supportive networks to improve health and quality of life. This is why we have developed a range of programs to […]
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 […]
Creating a Sleep Routine – 6 Steps to Better Sleep
Creating a Sleep Routine Establishing a sleep routine that works for you helps you get the recommended amount of sleep each night. Sleep routines are activities before bed each night. Routines can improve the quality and length of sleep. Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to maintaining long-term healthy eating and physical activity habits. […]
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, […]
Resources for a Happy, Healthy Holiday
This season is a time to focus on gratitude, giving, reflection and quality time with friends, colleagues and family. This time can also be difficult to navigate and cause stress. Learn proactive strategies to help you cope with holiday emotions, money issues and health. Tips from Work-Life Solutions Work-Life Solutions, by Guidance Resources, is the […]
WashU Wellness Team Spotlight in Well-Being Practitioner
The September/October 2019 issue of the Well-Being Practitioner tells the story of how the Washington University Wellness Connection program has evolved over the last 18 months. The team in Human Resources is focused on providing the right partnerships and evidence-based programs to enable employees’ mind-body health. Collaborating with faculty and staff experts ensures the program […]
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! Our […]
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 […]
A Guide to Healthy Summer Eating
Summer is here, and it is a time for grilling, swimming, road trips and outdoor activities. This summer, make a plan to enjoy healthy recipes, fresh produce and treats! Wellness Connection offers opportunities to purchase produce from local farmers and attend cooking demos from our MyWay to Health consultants. Farmers Market Each week, local farmers […]
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 […]