More than 11,000 unique faculty and staff at the University of Iowa in 2022 participated in campus activities related to health and well-being, a feat that helped the university win a 2023 Healthiest State Workplace award.

Julie Troendle and Ali Carlson from Finance and Operations are two of the many individuals across campus who participate in health and well-being initiatives and encourage others to do the same. As Wellness Ambassadors, Troendle and Carlson act as liaisons between their department and UI Wellness to highlight the numerous offerings across liveWELL, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Family Services.

“I’ve always had a passion for self-care and wellness that I want to share with other people,” said Troendle, a construction projects specialist in Facilities Management Design and Construction.

“When we take care of ourselves, we are more productive and we form better relationships. To me, it’s really inspiring to think that even small aspects of taking care of ourselves or encouraging others to take care of themselves—and providing the resources to do so—is making a huge impact on the university as a whole.”

Due to the efforts of staff at liveWELL, EAP, Family Services, Wellness Ambassadors, and thousands of participants across campus, the UI won the Healthiest State Initiative’s Healthiest State Workplace award among large employers. The Healthiest State Initiative is an Iowa-based nonprofit working to create awareness and integrate solutions across the state to improve the physical, social, and mental well-being of Iowans.

“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team in providing quality well-being programs and services to support our workforce who are serving UI’s mission in education, research, service, and health care,” said senior well-being specialist and liveWELL interim manager Melanie Cuchna. “We are proud to be part of this important effort to improve health and well-being in Iowa.”

With the help of Troendle, Carlson, and other Wellness Ambassadors in Finance and Operations, the organization takes advantage of activities like the Campus Wellness Scavenger Hunt to create teambuilding opportunities.

“We have a teambuilding committee within our department, so we’ve talked about doing a walking challenge this summer and creating a board with footprints you color in or initial to show how many miles you’ve done,” said Carlson, a manager in UI Service Center and Billing Account Services. “It’s been fun to have smaller initiatives in our work group while also participating in the liveWELL activities.”

Last year, the scavenger hunt involved more than 600 faculty and staff who learned about 10 outdoor spaces across campus. Of those who participated, 94% said the activities increased their knowledge and appreciation for UI campus green spaces and trees.

EAP also contributed to the UI’s award recognition, logging more than 1,900 participants in counseling sessions in 2022. In collaboration with Family Services, EAP established an Emergency Hardship Fund to support employees’ costs related to unforeseen emergencies that resulted in financial hardship. Thanks to their efforts, 52 employees have been awarded funds up to $1,000.

“At Iowa, we have prioritized holistic well-being for our faculty, staff, and students in our strategic plan with emphasis on embedding well-being into all aspects of campus culture,” said Joni Troester, senior assistant vice president and deputy CHRO.

“This award recognizes the collaborative efforts of our campus partners and stakeholders, and the positive impact well-being has throughout our institution.”