Ensman Receives Heart of HERO Award

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 6, 2016) — The Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO) recently named University of Kentucky Health and Wellness Manager Jody Ensman, as the recipient of the 2016 Heart of HERO Award.

The Heart of HERO Award was created to recognize individuals whose leadership inspires others to embrace change and take action, successfully facilitates ideas into actionable plans, actively participates in industry groups, and creates strategic programs and practices with measurable impact.

“This award recognizes an individual who impacts the health and well-being of their organization, and much more,” said Paul Terry, president and CEO of HERO. “You can see Jody’s leadership and passion for workplace health and well-being play out in UK’s successful wellness programs, in healthy competitions between universities, and in statewide collaborations. She inspires those around her to think outside the wellness box.”

Ensman has been the main driver behind UK’s employee wellness efforts for over 12 years, and has generously shared the program’s successes with others, including the University of Louisville (UofL). Her efforts helped launch the first Governor’s Get Healthy Kentucky Conference in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Wellness and Physical Activity in 2007. Ensman was also instrumental in launching the American Heart Association University Moving Challenge, a 10-week movement challenge between friendly Kentucky rivals UK and UofL.

She currently oversees the expansion and relocation of the UK employee fitness facility, is heavily involved with restructuring UK’s wellness program and leads the implementation of the university’s five-year strategic plan.

Ensman helped form and currently serves as co-chair of the University Wellness Alliance of Kentucky, a collaboration focused on best practices for employee wellness programs.

"What an honor it was to be nominated and a huge privilege to be awarded this award," Ensman said. "I am thankful for the opportunity to improve the health and well-being of the university community here at UK."

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Blair Hoover, 859-257-6398, blair.hoover@uky.edu