For nearly six years, my team has been supporting the UF-UF Health Wellness Committee and GatorCare’s wellness program. I am constantly encouraged by its positive impact on the employees who use it.

I truly believe we’ve succeeded in creating a culture of wellness at UF Health. Our wellness efforts are all around us — from the Annual Wellness Event attended each year by thousands of employees; to the Step it Up initiative featuring decals in our hospital stairwells encouraging employees to use the stairs; to activities, challenges, healthy food choices and classes … there are opportunities for everyone!

In my role, I am also aware of some concerns about our wellness offerings. When it comes to your privacy, I can assure you that all of the health information you provide is only used for the purposes for which you provided it and is completely confidential. During our Annual Wellness Event, we’ve increased efforts to ensure that your weight and health counseling is done in a fashion where no others can see or hear it.

For all of us, wellness is a personal choice. Participants in the wellness program use our resources in a variety of ways, and some tell us stories of how a particular program or combination of wellness offerings have changed their lives and, in turn, the lives of their loved ones, in a dramatic fashion.

My three beautiful granddaughters are my motivation to be well. I want to spend many years in good health interacting with them as they grow up. This reason alone is worth my commitment of time, energy and effort to be healthy.

I hope you think about what moves you to be well, and that you take advantage of all the wonderful health-promoting resources UF Health has to offer. In this edition of News+Notes, we highlight many of them and the positive impact they’ve had on our co-workers. We look forward to hearing about your personal wellness journey.