A nursing student prepares to test the carbon monoxide content of her lungs during a 2012 wellness fair. A nursing student prepares to test the carbon monoxide content of her lungs during a 2012 wellness fair.

Workplace wellness efforts win recognition for University

An award from Go for Health and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit recognizing the University of Windsor for leadership in supporting a healthy lifestyle would not have been possible without participation from across campus, says Marcela Ciampa, manager of employee engagement and development in the Department of Human Resources.

On October 23 the University was presented with the 2013 Gord Smith Healthy Workplace Award – Gold Level. This annual award honours public and private sector organizations who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in providing environments that create and support healthy lifestyles.

“The Department of Human Resources would like to thank the many employees and departments who developed and implemented the activities that led to the University receiving this award,” Ciampa said. “The commitment is truly cross-campus.”

The award recognized activities that were implemented in the period between August 2012 and July 2013, including:

  • the Faculty and Staff Wellness Fair
  • monthly Wellness E-Digests
  • the Weight Watchers on Campus Program
  • the Employee Assistance Program
  • St. Denis Centre membership
  • Campus Recreation’s employee wellness classes

These initiatives are designed to provide employees an opportunity to enhance awareness, knowledge and engage in behaviours that will ultimately result in enhanced health.