A lecturer at the School of Music, Theatre & Dance. A registered nurse at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. The marketing manager for the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. They are among the more than 550 employees who volunteer as MHealthy Champions.

As champions, they help to support a culture of well-being and connection among their co-workers and in units across U-M’s three campuses and Michigan Medicine.

Now through July 31, any active, benefits-eligible employee — working in-person, remote or hybrid — can apply to become a champion for their department, unit or area.

Champions spend approximately two hours per month on their duties over a two-year term. With MHealthy’s guidance and their supervisor’s support, champions:  

• Work with MHealthy to tailor activities for their area.
• Support their area’s health and well-being goals.
• Communicate opportunities and encourage participation in well-being activities and programs.
• Foster connection in today’s work environment.

To support them in their role, champions have access to:

• A dedicated MHealthy wellness coordinator to help set department wellness goals and implement customized programming.
• Monthly learning and engagement opportunities led by subject matter experts and covering a wide range of well-being topics.
• A dedicated online portal that connects champions to exclusive training and learning opportunities, educational materials and a peer network to ask questions, share experiences and find encouragement. 

“I thought, ‘Wow, MHealthy is an incredible resource that I should really be connected with’ and I’m so glad I did,” said Paola Savvidou, a lecturer III in SMTD. “They offer education, support and a wonderful community of other champions around the university. I can tap into them to ask questions, see how programming works for them, what they’ve done and what they’ve learned.”

Employees interested in becoming a champion should apply by July 31. Before accepting the application, MHealthy will contact the candidate’s supervisor for approval.