HealthyU launches first mentorship program this spring
Lacey Klotz |
Lipscomb University’s HealthyU Employee Wellness Program is a free benefit for all full-time employees that offers both resources and incentives to encourage employees to engage in health-enhancing behaviors and practices.
For the first time this past April, HealthyU launched a new mentorship program for current members to team up with Lipscomb’s Service Operations employees in an effort to share knowledge, build relationships and increase awareness of the benefits of living healthier lifestyles.
“Lipscomb University provides a unique opportunity to embrace all employees and encourage them to seek a healthy and holistic lifestyle,” said Anna Rose Robertson, 
director of Lipscomb’s employee wellness program and assistant professor of kinesiology. “The idea to launch a service operations mentorship program came from realizing that they are a group of people on campus who may have some extra barriers that many of us don’t necessarily have. Therefore we extended an offer to our HealthyU members to help their fellow employees shed some light on navigating the online dashboard, helpful tips and workout ideas.”
After two weeks of training in March, nearly 15 mentors and 20 mentees were tasked to meet three to five times a week on-campus. Jeff Wilson, the director of service operations and retail operations at Lipscomb University, approved for the service operations employees to meet with their assigned mentors during their scheduled work hours.
Kelli Bratton, assessment center coordinator in the College of Professional Studies, has been a member of HealthyU since November 2014, and says she was given three mentees to work with this spring.
“Having three mentees worked out really well because all three women are Ethiopian, and they would talk together to help one another understand what I was explaining,” said Bratton. “Most, if not all, service operations staff are physically active during the day, but that doesn’t necessarily translate into a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, I encouraged all of my mentees to seek opportunities for movement outside of work, and to especially involve their children in walks, playing games and other activities.”
Bratton says this program has had lasting effects on both the mentees and mentors.
“We found ways to work through language barriers and grew our relationship every time we met,” said Bratton. “I’ve seen one of my mentees, Saadi, several times on campus since mentoring and she shared that she is keeping up with her steps. It’s rewarding to see the program being utilized by employees who may not have otherwise participated.”
Jonathan Harrison, assessment manager in the College of Education, also served as the mentor of Alex Alvarado, a housekeeper in Allen Arena.
“I knew I wanted to help someone with the HealthyU program who may have to overcome challenges of language and technology, and I understood the system pretty well and wanted to give back,” said Harrison. “It was great to meet Alex and I hope I was able to give some tips on how to make the most out of HealthyU.”
At the end of April, every service operation staff member that went through the program was given a fit-bit zip to continue practicing a healthy lifestyle, and was encouraged to continue as members of HealthyU.
HealthyU also offers a $300 tiered incentive, which is available to all full-time Lipscomb employees. Other services of HealthyU include health and fitness evaluations, wellness consultations, personal training and educational sessions.
Ruth Henry, professor in the department of nutrition and kinesiology, founded Lipscomb’s wellness program in 1992 after having a desire to invest in the health of Lipscomb employees.
“There is plenty of information about our health and wellness that is easily accessible, but most people need some motivation and structure, and that is where the wellness program comes in,” Henry said in a HealthyU spotlight feature. “The road to wellness begins with making an intentional decision to make small changes, which can lead to bigger changes.”
“In 2014 we went from being an event-based program to a program that incentivizes behaviors that improve health and well-being,” said Robertson. “Our five incentive components are physical activity and exercise, a health-risk assessment, a primary care physician visit, education, and finally, spiritual and emotional well-being.”
The HealthyU Year 3 began May 1, and employees can now earn points for the 2016-2017 year.
For questions, please email Robertson at wellness [at] lipscomb.edu or call at ext. 5759.