Stephen King and the Ruthven Wellness Committee are examples of how one person or one group can make an impact. Both were recognized at the Nov. 12 MHealthy Champion Retreat for their outstanding work in fostering a culture of well-being in the workplace.
Stephen King: Dr. Robert Winfield Award Recipient
The Dr. Robert Winfield Award, created in honor of U-M’s first chief health officer, recognizes MHealthy Champions who go above and beyond in their roles to create a positive culture of health within their department or work unit.
This year’s winner is Stephen King from the Office of Clinical Affairs. He received the award because of his strong leadership in sustaining a culture of well-being by encouraging his colleagues and leading by example. He embodies the wellness initiative and is passionate about all areas of well-being.
Stephen is committed to his role as MHealthy Champion and has served for the past five years. He shows genuine interest in encouraging everyone - his colleagues and within his community outside of work - to live balanced, happy lives.
Runners up for the Winfield Award include Lena Nichols from the Student Loan Collections team in Financial Operations and Ashanti Harris from the Survey Research Operations (SRO) unit.
Ruthven Wellness Committee: LaVaughn Palma-Davis Wellness Committee Award Recipient
The LaVaughn Palma-Davis Wellness Committee Award, created in honor of MHealthy's first senior director, recognizes Champion-led wellness committees that work to positively affect the culture of health for the populations they serve.
This year’s winner is the Ruthven Wellness Committee. The Committee meets monthly to plan events and programs for the entire building. Informed by the Health and Well-being Interest Survey results that were collected building-wide, the committee has offered programs based on their colleagues needs, including monthly “Ruthven Rambles” campus walks, MHealthy-led Exercise and Relaxation classes, visits from Therapaws, flu shot clinics, a Ping-Pong Tournament, Thirsty Thursdays (to promote drinking more water), and monthly chair massages.
The committee also encourages participation in MHealthy programs, fielding several Active U and Active U Autumn teams, as well as participating in and volunteering for MHealthy’s "Be Well in the Big House." They were also involved in raising awareness around Hunger Action Month, collecting donations for the Maize and Blue Cupboard.
The Ruthven Committee has made sure to have at least one MHealthy Champion in every department within Ruthven, further ensuring their events and programming meet the needs and interests of building residents.
The winning Champions and Wellness Committee received a trophy and monetary gift card.
More than 600 staff and faculty currently volunteer as MHealthy Champions. To learn more about the program and learn how you can apply, visit the MHealthy website.
