Rich Holcomb
Senior Director for Benefits, Health and Well-Being, University Human Resources
Rich Holcomb is Senior Director for Benefits, Health and Well-Being for University Human Resources. He brings over 20 years of experience in HR and benefits, including work as Compensation and Benefits Manager at Foote Hospital in Jackson and, most recently, Director of Total Rewards and HR Services for UMHS Human Resources. One of Rich's professional areas of interest is in developing strategies to create value for both employee and employer in benefit plan design. In his 12 years with UMHS, Rich was a valuable leader and a member of several university benefit committees including the Committee on Retirement Savings Plan and Retirement Health Benefits, Committee on Sustainable Health Benefits, Committee on Retiree Health Benefits, and the Member Engagement Health Plan Committee. Rich has attended the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School, The University of Michigan Ross Business School Health Care Leadership Institute and Advanced Human Resources Executive Program. He holds a Master's Degree in Labor Relations and Human Resources and a Bachelor's Degree in Employment Relations, both from Michigan State University, and is a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) as designated by World at Work.
Preeti Malani
Chief Health Officer and Professor of Medicine, Michigan Medicine Infectious Disease
Preeti N. Malani, MD, MSJ is the Chief Health Officer and a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Michigan. Dr. Malani’s clinical and research interests include infection control and prevention and infections in older adults. She is the director of the recently launched National Poll on Healthy Aging based at the Institute for Health Policy and Innovation. Dr. Malani has published more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and editorials and has edited five books. She is an Associate Editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Previously, she served as the Assistant Deputy Editor of Clinical Infectious Diseases and an Associate Editor of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. Dr. Malani is a graduate of the University of Michigan. She received her MD degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine. Prior to medical school, she completed a Masters in Journalism at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She completed her Internal Medicine residency and Infectious Diseases fellowship at the University of Michigan where she also received a Masters Degree in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis. Dr. Malani completed fellowship training in Geriatric Medicine at the Oregon Health and Science University.
Karen Schmidt, MPH
Director, MHealthy Programs & Services
Karen Schmidt is the director of MHealthy programs and services for the University of Michigan. In this role, she supports the health and well-being of the university's 60,000+ faculty, staff, dependents, retirees, and spouses. Karen has over 20 years of proven experience leading, implementing, and evaluating health and well-being programs. Before joining MHealthy in 2008, she worked for the university's health plan, developing and overseeing wellness programming for its members. She has held various roles in health and well-being within corporate, health system, and health plan organizations. Karen holds a MPH (health behavior/health education) from the University of Michigan and a BA in communication and psychology. She is also a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner.
MHealthy Staff Credentials
When you participate in an MHealthy program, you can rest assured that you are in the hands of highly educated and experienced health professionals. All program staff are required, at a minimum, to have a bachelor's degree in a health-related field such as exercise physiology, exercise science, nutrition, health education, or nursing. All program staff are certified in CPR. Many also have advanced degrees in health disciplines or hold additional health and fitness certifications.
Fitness Staff Credentials
MHealthy's fitness staff are required, at a minimum, to have a bachelor's degree in exercise physiology, exercise science, adult fitness, health education, or another health related specialization. All MHealthy staff are CPR and AED certified. Many have advanced degrees in health disciplines and/or hold certifications from premier industry authorities such as the American College of Sports Medicine or the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Required and monitored continuing education is mandated to maintain certification status.
Nutrition Staff Credentials
MHealthy's registered dietitians have, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree in dietetics, human nutrition, or another related field. In addition to a college degree, supervised field experience is required and a rigorous examination must be passed before one is eligible to become a registered dietitian. Required and monitored continuing education is mandated to maintain the status of registered dietitian. Several of MHealthy's registered dietitians have advanced degrees and contribute additional experience and expertise.
Tobacco Consultation Service Staff Credentials
Tobacco Consultation Service counselors hold masters level degrees in nursing, health education, or psychology. Most are also certified tobacco treatment specialists and complete continuing education requirements annually to maintain certification.
Alcohol Management Staff Credentials
Alcohol Management counselors have a master's degree in social work, nursing, or health education and have had extensive training and experience in alcohol education. The Alcohol Management program is licensed by the State of Michigan Office of Substance Abuse Services to provide prevention services.
Health Behavior and Health Education Staff Credentials
MHealthy health educators have a master's degree in health education, social work, or nursing. In addition to a college degree, supervised field experience is required. Many of our staff hold additional health certifications that can assist consumers in making informed decisions about their health.