November 2023 Spotlight

The Office of the Chief Wellness Officer is proud to recognize Buckeye Wellness Innovators (BWIs) who actively create a workplace culture and environment of health and well-being. Congratulations to Chris Welker from OSU Lima Campus for being the November Buckeye Wellness Innovator spotlight!

Chad creates a weekly wellness program called Wellness with Welker that utilizes the wellness wheel, focusing on a specific dimension each month. To promote social wellness, he held a "Multicultural Friendsgiving Potluck", featured their career services manager for a "Social Media in the Job Search" presentation for career wellness and hosted a "Campus Wellness Fair" to start the semester, featuring the smoothie bike, BuckeyePaws therapy dogs, local financial wellness resources and a healthy snack table.

Read more about Chad's efforts to enrich the wellness campus culture at the Lima Campus.

Q: Why did you join the Buckeye Wellness Innovator program?

I joined the Buckeye Wellness Innovator program to learn more about and share the incredible resources and programming with my fellow Buckeye staff and faculty.

Q: Why is being a Buckeye Wellness Innovator important to you? 

Being a Buckeye Wellness Innovator lets me be part of such a positive change for my friends and colleagues as they participate in their wellness journeys.  When I see those positive improvements and changes in their lives because of what I can share, it creates a drive and motivation to be better myself and to bring new and exciting programs and resources to the table!

Q: Share a few ways you are embracing the ten dimensions of wellness and providing opportunities for faculty/staff to engage in activities.

I created a weekly wellness program called Wellness with Welker that utilizes the wellness wheel, focusing on a specific dimension each month. The wellness event will feature on- and off-campus resources as well as a fun activity or program to go along with the dimension featured that month. We had a "Multicultural Friendsgiving Potluck" for Social Wellness Month; we featured our career services manager for a "Social Media in the Job Search" presentation for career wellness. We hosted a "Campus Wellness Fair" to start the semester, featuring the smoothie bike, BuckeyePaws therapy dogs, local financial wellness resources and a healthy snack table.

Q: With so many competing priorities while at work, finding time to plan wellness activities for faculty/staff can be difficult. How do you find time to prioritize wellness and develop new or innovative ideas for wellness activities?

Wellness has always been a big part of my life, from the Marine Corps to my educational path through sports management and now professionally as Ohio State Lima's Recreation Coordinator. Through these journeys came a discipline to maintain active participation in the health and wellness field.

I am always reading wellness journals and publications to learn about new initiatives and programs that could be useful on campus, as well as having a membership in professional wellness associations and being a part of panels. I regularly attend meetings through the city planning commission for the Bike and Pedestrian Task Force for Allen County, Ohio.

Q: How have you overcome barriers to engaging colleagues in your wellness efforts during the workday? 

Moving away from the virtual side of events and programs back to in-person has been a unique challenge on a regional commuter campus, creating opportunities to have new and exciting events not seen on campus before. Bringing the smoothie bike to our Wellness Fair was an awesome way to engage colleagues and bring excitement to the event while creating a fun way to be active and enjoy a healthy treat!

Q: How has your leadership embraced wellness and/or your role as a BWI?

I have a unique opportunity to sprinkle health and wellness into my professional role on campus, running the recreation program and fitness center. Still, I have also seen my leadership style change slightly into a servant leadership role, prioritizing the overall greater health and wellness of campus and presenting to faculty groups and the staff advisory council.

The leaders on campus have embraced the wellness efforts wholeheartedly and actively encourage participation.

Q: Why is it important for leaders to embrace and model wellness behavior and your role as a BWI?

It is important to not only be a walking billboard for wellness but also to practice healthy habits to serve as an example to other colleagues. I want to make sure that I am approachable and always willing to have an open dialogue around wellness on campus in a non-threatening, non-judgmental way.

When we see our leaders and friends actually doing and embracing healthy practices, it encourages the rest of us to try it, along the lines of "If they can walk that walk, so can I."

Q: How do your leaders model wellness behavior?

I am always adding wellness breaks into meetings and presentations I am a part of, especially if it is a longer program. I like to have people move around, stretch out, and take a walk during my time to present, modeling how important wellness is.

The leaders at Ohio State Lima not only participate in the healthy initiatives on campus and encourage students and employees to come out, but they also model healthy behavior in their personal lives and pursuits.

Q: What benefits have you seen or experienced, personally or professionally, as a result of the program?

I have not only seen a positive impact on campus from participation in the events and programs but have also seen increased participation on the VirginPulse app, getting colleagues competing in contests and challenges through the app. I have even seen a personal benefit with my biometric screening numbers since joining and participating in the BWI program.

Q: What would your dream be if you could accomplish anything as a Buckeye Wellness Innovator team?

I dream of having a designated wellness space on campus. I envision massage chairs, aromatherapy, UV lights and a calming atmosphere that faculty and staff would have unlimited access to. This space would also feature campus and community resources for health and wellness.

Q: What advice would you pass on to other Buckeye Wellness Innovators to help them create a culture of wellness in their department?

The most rewarding experiences have come from my willingness to step outside my comfort zone and not just do informal events and information dissemination but really engage my fellow colleagues and create initiatives that are challenging and thought-provoking.