MyWay to Health: Health Coaching, Weight Management Program, and Presentations


MyWay to Health at Washington University is an on-site wellness program available to benefits-eligible employees. 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.
1) Meet with a MyWay to Health Wellness Consultant
Meet with a MyWay to Health Wellness Consultant to create an individualized plan for adopting the 8ight Ways to Wellness. Our experts provide holistic advice and accountability to help you take charge of your well-being.
Common session topics include nutrition, physical activity, weight management, condition management, sleep, and stress. Sessions are free of charge and available by phone, Zoom, or in-person on the Medical Campus. If needed, language translation services are available.
Our goal is to continue to offer evidence-based wellness support from WashU experts for all of our benefits-eligible employees at a time when our health and well-being is even more critical.
2) Enroll in the MyWay to a Healthy Weight Program
The MyWay to a Healthy Weight Program is a free year-long weight management program featuring weekly support from a dedicated Registered Dietitian. This is an individualized behavior-based program to help participants achieve healthy eating and physical activity goals.
Interested individuals must attend an orientation before enrolling in the program. Orientation takes place in April, July, and December with sessions beginning the following month. Capacity is limited, and participation is subject to availability. Participation criteria: benefits-eligible WashU employee or immediate family member with a BMI of 25.0 or greater.
Please register for one of the orientation options below. A video recording is available upon request for individuals unable to attend a live orientation session. Please email MyWayToHealth@wustl.edu with any questions.
- Wednesday, November 29 at 12:00pm
- Thursday, November 30 at 4:00pm
- To attend virtually, click here.
In the interim, we encourage participating in our other programming to initiate healthy lifestyle changes. The Getting Started Group Series provides an introduction to key elements of the MyWay to a Healthy Weight program. Click here to learn more about the series and to register for the monthly Zoom sessions. A recording and materials will be available to registrants unable to attend the live session.
We also encourage those waiting to begin the program to meet with one of our Registered Dietitians for a wellness consultation to begin individualizing healthy lifestyle recommendations. Click here to schedule a Wellness Consultation.
3) Attend Upcoming Workshops & Events
Additional MyWay to Health Resources
Access to cooking classes, weekly wellness content, and support from your WashU wellness consultants.
MyWay to Health Wellness Consultants are available to offer presentations for departments in-person or via Zoom. These presentations are a great way to promote wellness among coworkers. Available presentations include:
- Healthy Habits While Working From Home
- The Importance of Physical Activity
- Healthy Eating
- Meal Planning
- Nutrition Myths and Food Trends
Additional topics available by request.
Please submit the Request A Wellness Program for Your Department form and allow up to three weeks lead time.
Looking for healthy recipe inspiration? Our team has collected a variety of nutritious and delicious recipes to take the guesswork out of meal planning.
Partnership with American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking®
To support Washington University benefits-eligible employees who are ready to quit smoking, Wellness Connection and MyWay to Health have partnered with the American Lung Association to provide FREE access to their Freedom From Smoking® (FFS) behavior change program.
- Specialized professional counseling is provided by nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacist and addiction counselors all nationally certified as Tobacco Treatment Specialists.
- Participants receive 8 proactive calls from the FFS team, educational resources and tools to support the quit attempt.
- Employees are highly encouraged to complete the program within 6 months and earn the completion certificate.
- Nicotine replacement therapy is available for those who qualify.
For more information and to enroll in the program, contact MyWay to Health at mywaytohealth@wustl.edu or 314-286-0078.
Read our holistic curriculum and handouts in the MyWay to Health WUSTL Box.
About MyWay to Health
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.

Maggie Danforth, RD, LDN, CPC
Registered Dietitian Wellness Consultant
- Phone: 314-548-9566
- Email: DMaggie@wustl.edu

Alexandra Ishmael, RD, LDN
Registered Dietitian Wellness Consultant
- Phone: 314-626-4661
- Email: Ishmael@wustl.edu

Erin McGraw, MS, RD, LD
Registered Dietitian Wellness Consultant
- Phone: 314-275-0559
- Email: merin@wustl.edu

Reshaunda Thornton, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Registered Dietitian Wellness Consultant
- Phone: 314-286-0242
- Email: Reshaunda@wustl.edu

Lisa Tigges, MS, RD, LD
Registered Dietitian Wellness Consultant
- Phone: 314-286-0245
- Email: TiggesL@wustl.edu

Carla Velarde, MS, RD, LD
Registered Dietitian Wellness Consultant
- Phone: 314-273-3773
- Email: Carlavelarde@wustl.edu
Our mission is to help individuals champion strengths, overcome barriers, and create supportive networks to improve their health and quality of life. Combining individualized wellness consulting with online tools and educational resources, you will learn to make personalized lifelong changes to your health.
The program is designed to help you:
- Set goals to improve your health and well-being
- Monitor your weight and other important health measures
- Improve the nutritional quality of your diet
- Build routines for regular physical activity
- Establish healthy sleep, stress, and emotion management practices
- Enhance personal motivation, self-esteem, and body image
- Foster a supportive network at home, in your community, and at work
- Become an advocate for a well-balanced healthy lifestyle
MyWay to Health at Washington University is a voluntary wellness program available to benefits-eligible employees. The program is administered according to federal rules permitting employer-sponsored wellness programs that seek to improve employee health or prevent disease, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, as applicable, among others.
If you are unable to participate for MyWay to Health to earn an incentive, you may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation or an alternative standard. You may request a reasonable accommodation or an alternative standard by contacting Wellness Connection at wellnessconnection@wustl.edu or by calling 314-935-3654.
The information from your HRA and participation in the program will be used to help you understand your current health and potential risks, and may also be used to offer you services through MyWay to Health. You are encouraged to share your results or concerns with your own doctor.
Unless specifically authorized by you, or legally required, MyWay to Health will not release any personally identifiable data. MyWay to Health uses aggregate data to produce reports for Washington University. This data cannot be used to identify any individuals. Washington University uses aggregate data to better understand the needs of their organization and to design appropriate health improvement programs to meet those needs.
MyWay to Health is required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your personally identifiable health information. Your health information will not be sold, exchanged, transferred, or otherwise disclosed except to the extent permitted by law to carry out specific activities related to the wellness program. You will not be asked or required to waive the confidentiality of your health information as a condition of participating in MyWay to Health or receiving an incentive.
MyWay to Health is required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your personally identifiable health information. Please be aware that we must break this confidentiality if you share any intention to harm yourself or others or if you report the abuse of a child or an elderly person.
Good health, energy, and confidence to live our lives to the fullest.

Join the Wellness Champion Network
Advocate for healthy living in your department!
Request A Wellness Program
Our experts are available to offer presentations for departments in-person or via Zoom.