MHealthy is recruiting faculty and staff members through the end of August to serve as MHealthy Champions. These volunteers help support a healthier workplace culture within their department, unit or school.
Cynthia Harden became a Champion in September 2015 and, in less than a year, has made an impact in her unit by securing a well-being grant to purchase two Magic Bullet blenders for her department and forming teams for Active U and the Rival Challenge physical activity challenges.
more information
- Apply to be an MHealthy Champion.
- Email questions to
mhealthy-wellness-champs
@umich.edu.
“Taking care of cancer patients and realizing how lucky I am to be a cancer survivor and stay healthy encouraged me to be a Champion,” says Harden, a medical assistant in the Adult Cancer Infusion Center. “It is so important for our medical assistants and nurses to be healthy so we perform at our best.”
“I’ve learned what works best for my unit and tailored my efforts to fit our needs,” Harden says. “For example, because our schedules are so demanding, we are not at a computer regularly. So instead of sharing information through email, I talk with people and worked with my supervisor to install an MHealthy glass display case with lots of information for our staff to read when they have time.”
Champions serve a two-year term and spend approximately two hours per month on their responsibilities, including:
• Working with an MHealthy Wellness Coordinator to tailor health and wellness activities that best fit the needs of their coworkers.
• Helping to achieve their department or unit’s health and well-being goals.
• Communicating opportunities and encourage participation in healthy activities.
• Gaining universitywide recognition for their areas, while also being recognized personally for their contributions.
• Applying for well-being grants to support their areas’ interests and needs.
“If you are a staff and faculty member who likes to positively motivate others and is enthusiastic about health and well-being, we encourage you to apply to become a Champion,” says Leola Hearing, project specialist for MHealthy. “Your energy and enthusiasm is one of the key ingredients to cultivating a work environment that supports the mental, physical and emotional health of its employees.”
Currently, more than 500 employees across the university’s three campuses and the Health System volunteer as Champions.
Anyone who is interested in becoming a Champion should apply by Aug. 31. MHealthy will send an email to the candidate’s supervisor asking to approve participation in the program.
