Being healthy & happy - it's contagious

Did you know well-being happens at UC every day?  It does, but often away from the spotlight. Thank you to those who nominated more than 200 students, faculty and staff as #HealthyUC for inspiring healthy behaviors and a positive environment on campus. Learn more about those who were nominated and celebrate with them through images from the Bearcats Block Party.

Healthy UC is a collaborative of representatives from Be Well UC (UC HR), Campus Recreation, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Health Promotion and Education (College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services), Human Resources (Benefits), Student Wellness Center, and University Health Services, all of which support student, faculty and staff well-being. As a way to celebrate UC’s Bicentennial, Healthy UC decided to find 200 individuals who demonstrated well-being every day.

Faculty, staff and students were asked to complete a brief survey nominating a friend, colleague, student, coach or mentor who demonstrated the following traits, qualities and behaviors:

• Leading by example
• Encouraging their colleagues to make great choices
• Exuding positivity, gratitude and engaging to work with
• Ability to handle the tough stuff and move on
• Lifting others up along the way
• Motivating without judgement
• Promoting collaboration and camaraderie
• Not sweating the small stuff
• Making lemonade out of lemons, and passing the pitcher
• Making personal improvements that have inspired positive changes in others

Through reviewing the answers to the survey, we learned that community, camaraderie and partnership are alive and well on our campus. Nominees were described as being “an inspirational human being,” someone who “gives us suggestions of goals that are attainable,” and people who “are persevering, who never let the small stuff get [them] down.”

Recognition was given to those who not only embody well-being, but help bring others along for the ride. Our collaborative is so inspired by the Bearcats among us who “encourage others by being an example that it is possible to change your lifestyle and embrace healthy living.” And we are encouraged by the fact that there are those on campus who “spread positivity in every room they enter,” saying thank you for a job well done, and who “help others to see the best in the worst of situations…help[ing] others to be a better, happier version of themselves.”

If you joined the festivities of the Bearcats Block Party, you may have noticed Kim Schmidt, Director of Campus Recreation, introducing the Healthy UC collaborative and announcing the names of the three winners.  The three winners were randomly selected from all who were nominated and won prizes donated by Campus Services. The winners were Stacey Benton (faculty), Megan Mueller (staff) and Chris Kirby (student). All who were nominated and consented were also recognized on the Nippert Stadium scoreboard during the event.  The Healthy UC collaborative provided a wellness area at the event as well with information on each area’s services, interactive activities, and giveaways.

Names of those nominated and the rest of the details surrounding this recognition is available at the 200 People are #HealthyUC page.

We hope through this recognition, more of our UC community members see how we make well-being happen on campus. These programs and offices are ready to help:

• Be Well UC – all faculty and staff can join Be Well UC for programming. Those on the UC Anthem medical plan can earn incentives for doing so.
  
• Campus Recreation – award winning facilities available for faculty, staff and students.
  
• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) – students can receive assistance, and all members of the UC community can learn through educational programs provided.
  
• Health Promotion and Education (College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services) – take advantage of Health, Fitness and Leisure courses to build health and well-being into your course curriculum. Eligible faculty and staff can also take these courses with tuition remission!
  
• Human Resources (Benefits) – Faculty and staff can take advantage of great resources like Anthem Engage, Impact Solutions (Employee Assistance Program) and more.
  
• Student Wellness Center – Students have a wide variety of programming offered on topics like stress management, mental wellness, sexual health and nutrition.
  
• University Health Services – University Health Services – UHS offers integrated care to support student health and well-being  in a multidisciplinary clinic, providing mental and physical health services to all students.  Call 513-556-2564 for an appt or visit the website.
  

Questions?

Reach out to the Be Well UC at wellness@uc.edu or call 513-556-6381.