Become a UK HR Health and Wellness ‘well-being champion’
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 21, 2025) — In early 2024, University of Kentucky Human Resources Health and Wellness rolled out a pilot initiative — well-being champions. It is a grassroots initiative designed to empower passionate employees to champion individual and collective well-being efforts across the university. It combines a university-wide approach with customized solutions and support at the local level of each college, unit and area.
Now, HR Health and Wellness is looking for more champions throughout the institution.
“Our people are our greatest strength,” said Jody Ensman, HR Health and Wellness well-being manager. “By fostering a culture of well-being, we can help employees reach their full potential. Well-being isn’t just a perk; it’s key to a thriving workplace. This initiative is one example of how we take care of our employees.”
During its initial rollout, HR Health and Wellness selected 25 champions across campus and UK HealthCare. These champions helped foster a positive and impactful well-being culture by communicating information about HR work-life and well-being programs and resources in addition to supporting their colleagues.
“Being a department well-being champion has been an incredibly fulfilling experience,” said Donielle Day, a well-being champion in UK HealthCare Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. “Our team greatly benefited from the sense of community we’ve built through fun events like mini basketball playoffs involving everyone — faculty, residents, fellows and staff.”
Being a champion doesn’t require much time. Champions must be committed to dedicating two to four hours a month, commit to a one-year term and help implement the CATS cornerstones: communicate, activate, transform and support employees. In the first year, UK HealthCare Pathology and Laboratory Medicine has seen a positive change throughout its department thanks to its well-being champion.
“We, as a department, have been very pleased with the well-being champion program,” said Lissa Morris, division administrator for UK HealthCare Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. “The role has led to broader discussions about well-being and the weekly/monthly reminders our champion, Donielle, sends out are very helpful in getting people to check in on their own and each other’s wellness.”
Applications are now open to become a well-being champion and join the network of employees dedicated to carrying out the university’s mission to promote well-being and a sense of community. All faculty and staff are encouraged to apply. Supervisor approval is required to ensure participation aligns with the applicant’s primary work responsibilities.
The application process is self-nomination. A committee will review applications and select champions for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The application deadline is June 16.
For more information about becoming a champion, you can visit the HR Health and Wellness website or contact wellness specialist Sebastian Calmes at Sebastian.calmes@uky.edu.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.