Annual luncheon recognizes Healthy Emory wellness champions

June 13, 2022

Healthy Emory’s 6th annual wellness champion appreciation luncheon took place June 9 to celebrate the work and dedication of wellness champions across Emory. This year’s luncheon was held at Convocation Hall and was the first in-person event for champions since 2019.

Emory's large network of 133 volunteer wellness champions represents more than 85 different Emory University and Emory Healthcare departments, divisions and operating units. These volunteers help launch, market and sustain new and existing health and wellness programs. Most importantly, they support and encourage their colleagues to adopt and maintain healthy habits.

During his keynote address, Tim Cunningham, co-chief well-being officer for Woodruff Health Sciences Center, emphasized the vital role wellness champions play in building a culture of health and well-being at Emory.

“Well-being practices are as diverse as this amazing country in which we live. It is our role to learn what works for us and how it changes over time. Even more, it is our role to learn and understand what works for our Emory colleagues and teams. When we learn that, we must continue to support and encourage them,” Cunningham said.

The event also featured a wellness champion spotlight that highlighted the significant work led by Amanda Thomas at Emory Healthcare’s Decatur Operating Unit. In addition to her regular wellness champion duties, Amanda coordinated a new initiative in partnership with Kaiser Permanente to offer monthly webinars for employees on a variety of health topics.

Rookie of the Year awards recognized two new wellness champions who have shown outstanding performance and excelled in their roles. In addition, 27 wellness champions received service anniversary awards to recognize their many years of commitment to employee health and well-being.

Rookie of the Year awards

Peter Shirts

Music and dance librarian, Emory University Libraries

Peter Shirts began serving as a wellness champion in January 2021. During his time as a champion, he has helped library employees stay physically active, eat better and better manage their stress. He has promoted walking groups, assisted employees with wellness challenges in Healthy Emory Connect and coordinated staff competitions focused on drinking water and “meatless Mondays.” He also encourages healthy stress management practices with wellness bingo and promotes meditation classes.

Jodie Brooks

Marketing events specialist, Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital

Jodie Brooks has been a wellness champion since October 2020. Her work with ESJH employees has focused on staying physically active and managing stress. Over the past year as a wellness champion, she has promoted participation in walking groups and challenges, encouraged team sports and coordinated coloring stations for stress management. She also encouraged employees to get active by joining Walk to Jerusalem, a community program aimed at increasing physical activity through a virtual tour of Jerusalem.

Service anniversary awards

1 year of service

Adam Montgomery, Emory Hillandale Hospital
Amy Suzanne Jarrell, Emory University Hospital Midtown
Inez Efejuku, Emory University Hospital
Javier Valle, School of Medicine
Jessica Robinson, Oxford College
Lauren Overton-Kirk, School of Medicine
Letorsha Hom, The Emory Clinic
Narada Cunningham, The Emory Clinic
Rachelle Stammen, Emory National Primate Research Center
Stephanie Gardner, The Emory Clinic
Willetta Marshall, Emory Healthcare

3 years of service

Alan Polson, Campus Services
Elizabeth Miller, Candler School of Theology
Lisa Jewell, The Emory Clinic
Melissa Gayle, Emory Decatur Hospital
Stacy Matthews, Campus Services

5 years of service

Anthony Woods, Emory Blomeyer Health Fitness Center
Joyce Oda-Story, Office of the Controller
Samantha Henry, Emory University Hospital

7 years of service

Amanda Yu-Nguyen, Oxford College
Kore Breault, Goizueta Business School
Terry Martin, Emory Healthcare

9 years of service

Adam Malm, School of Nursing
Melanie Hof, Emory Orthopaedics and Spine Center
Pam Somerset, Winship Cancer Institute
Sabrina Callahan, The Carter Center

For more information about the program, visit the Wellness Champions web page or contact Healthy Emory at healthyemory@emory.edu.

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