Well-Being

Meet the Mason Nation: Nandini Koka

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 17:37:27 +0000

Meet the Mason Nation: Nandini Koka Lauren Reuscher Wed, 11/20/2024 - 12:37

Nandini Koka, MD

Job: Executive Director, Student Health Services

Dr. Nandini Koka, executive director of Student Health Services at George Mason �鶹��. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of �鶹�� Branding

Nandini Koka joined George Mason �鶹�� in April 2023 as executive director of Student Health Services, where she leads a staff of nearly 50 that includes doctors, nurse practitioners, counselors, and nurses. As a medical doctor with training in family medicine and urgent care, she is passionate about helping patients get better quickly and enhancing access to care.

At the largest and fastest-growing public research university in Virginia, Koka has found a place where the need for that care continues to grow.

The doctor is in: In her role, Koka provides direction and leadership for Student Health Services to ensure students receive quality clinical care. She also serves as a medical advisor and resource to campus leaders on health-related matters. In a post-pandemic world, where many aspects of health care remain an urgent community need, her input is essential across George Mason’s campuses.

Helping the student body: Koka knows that learning is not confined to the classroom, and some of the biggest lessons can address a fundamental part of students’ lives: their health.

“I am excited to work at George Mason because of the opportunity to care for a diverse student population,” said Koka. “I want to help guide students as they become advocates for their own health and create goals to maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

Appointments on the books: Last year, Student Health Services had 16,500 student interactions—this includes in-person and telehealth visits, lab work, and nurse triage interactions across the Fairfax, Mason Square, and Science and Technology campuses.

Koka knows this number could go even higher. One of her primary goals is to increase awareness of the health services available to students.

“One of the biggest challenges we face is creating awareness around Student Health Services and the fact that we are a full-service medical clinic,” said Koka.

Addressing the body and mind: “We continue to see the need for mental health care as a challenge in the community,” said Koka. “Student Health Services has a unique approach to behavioral health, as we utilize a collaborative care model.”

Dr. Koka leads a staff of nearly 50 that includes doctors, nurse practitioners, counselors, and nurses. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of �鶹�� Branding

In this model, medical providers partner with behavioral health counselors to co-manage the care of students. Koka says that this team approach has given students more touchpoints with clinicians and provides a more holistic care model.

Additionally, all patients who visit Student Health Services are given a mental health screening at their first visit, and once a year thereafter. Primary care providers are a key point to identify concerns related to mental health.

Finding ways to make it cost-free: Sexual and reproductive care is another critical area of need at Student Health Services. “We have partnered with a community organization to provide free sexually transmitted infection (STI) services to students throughout the semester,” said Koka. “We continue to look for ways to expand access to services for our students.”

Fostering a supportive community: A dynamic campus community is what brought Koka to higher education. “I have been able to interact with our students and see their excitement about being here at George Mason and wanting to be a part of this community,” said Koka.

Rest as part of health: Outside of work, Koka enjoys spending time with her family. “�鶹�� two daughters keep us busy with soccer and dance, and we have fun going to the games and watching the performances,” said Koka. To relax, she might go for a run, play with her dog, or try out new recipes.

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Doctor’s orders: 8 ways to stay healthy this cold and flu season

Lauren Reuscher — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 20:55:04 +0000

Doctor’s orders: 8 ways to stay healthy this cold and flu season Lauren Reuscher Tue, 11/19/2024 - 15:55

Cold and flu season is here—again. Nandini Koka, medical doctor and executive director of Student Health Services at George Mason �鶹��, is ready to help. Follow Dr. Koka’s self-care steps to stay healthy this respiratory season.

Scrub, scrub, scrub: Wash your hands often with soap and water.

Getty Images
Please, cover up: Cough and sneeze into your elbow, or cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.
Hands off: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
There’s no place like home: If you have a fever or flu symptoms—stay home.
Wait it out: Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, unless you need to seek medical care.
Mask up: If you are unable to stay home when sick, then wear a well-fitting mask around others.
Take care of yourself: Help keep your immune system strong—stay hydrated, eat a nutritious diet, stay physically active, and get enough sleep.

Getty Images
Protect yourself and others: Get vaccinated this fall with the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine and the updated COVID vaccine. Depending on your age and eligibility, the RSV and pneumonia vaccine are also important. Students can visit Student Health Services to receive the flu vaccine. Faculty, staff, and students can also visit their local pharmacy or primary care doctor if they missed the on-campus vaccination clinics earlier this fall.

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Running, walking, and thriving together

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 15:35:17 +0000

Running, walking, and thriving together Lauren Reuscher Thu, 10/24/2024 - 11:35

The annual Mason Nation Thriving Together 5K and 1-mile run/walk took place on George Mason �鶹��’s Fairfax Campus on Saturday, Oct. 19. This year, more than 400 people registered for the event.

The race was open to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. Proceeds from the event will benefit student mental health and well-being programs.

Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of �鶹�� Branding

The first Thriving Together 5K was hosted in 2020 as a “virtual” race during the pandemic. For the past few years, the event has been hosted on campus with the option to participate from anywhere.

George Mason �鶹�� President Gregory Washington helped kick off the race. Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of �鶹�� Branding

The proceeds from this year’s race will benefit the following programs for students:

New and improved MindSpa spaces where students can relax, practice self-care, and improve their overall wellbeing.
Installing soundproof pods that students can use for telehealth appointments in locations where more private, quiet space is needed.
Providing funding to offset the costs of psychological testing for students who are seeking accommodations.
Scholarships for students who serve in the Peer Empowerment Program, a volunteer opportunity for students to help promote mental health awareness at George Mason.

Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of �鶹�� Branding

The Thriving Together 5K planning committee included faculty and staff from across the university, including �鶹�� Life, Mason Recreation, the College of Education and Human Development, Parking and Transportation, and Mason Police.

Learn more about mental health and well-being resources at George Mason.

Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of �鶹�� Branding

Learn more about mental health and well-being resources

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Meet the Mason Nation: Rachel Wernicke, associate dean and chief mental health officer

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 14:53:28 +0000

Meet the Mason Nation: Rachel Wernicke, associate dean and chief mental health officer Lauren Reuscher Wed, 02/21/2024 - 09:53

Rachel Wernicke

Job: Associate Dean and Chief Mental Health Officer, �鶹�� Life

Rachel Wernicke has worked as an Army officer, psychologist, therapist, and coach. In 2019, she moved into her current role: associate dean and chief mental health officer at George Mason �鶹��.

Rachel Wernicke, associate dean and chief mental health officer at Mason. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of �鶹�� Branding

At that time, �鶹�� Life at Mason created the role of chief mental health officer to address student mental health from a more strategic, public health approach. This decision happened at a critical moment, just before the world entered the greatest mental health challenge of a generation: a global pandemic.

A group effort: “We continue to see significant need for mental health support in students, faculty, and staff,” Wernicke said. “Supporting mental health takes a whole campus effort, with the engagement of our entire Mason community and a commitment to creating a culture and providing the programs and services that sustain mental health and well-being.”

According to Wernicke, nearly every role on campus is connected to this work, “even if on the surface it may not seem so,” she said.

Supporting the troops: Wernicke’s time as an Army captain influenced her decision to become a psychologist. “A core Army leadership practice focuses on caring for people,” Wernicke said. “Learning how to do this when I served as an Army officer led me to study psychology and become a therapist.” The leadership lessons she learned in the Army continue to shape her leadership style today.

Passion for education: As a therapist in training, Wernicke had the opportunity to work in college mental health, and she loved working with students. “Although I’ve practiced in hospitals and other settings, I kept returning to higher education over the years,” Wernicke said.

Wernicke serves as cochair of Mason’s Mental Health and Well-Being Task Force. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of �鶹�� Branding

Mental health as the second pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic brought increased attention to the need for expanded mental health care. As a result, Mason has adapted and expanded its mental health services for students.

“Both Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and Student Health Services (SHS) had to shift their services to meet the needs of students during the pandemic,” Wernicke said. “The most critical shift was to offer telemental health services for students.”

Answering the call: The number of students seeking mental health services is rising, both at Mason and nationally, continuing a trend that was underway before the pandemic. From 2010 to 2020, the total number of students served by Mason’s CAPS increased by 55%. The growing demand for services hasn’t stopped.

“As of January 2024, just over halfway through our fiscal year, CAPS has supported more than 1,100 students,” Wernicke said. “This compares to 1,254 students served during the entirety of the previous fiscal year.”

Multiple avenues for care: SHS also provides mental health care to students. “SHS provides universal screening for depression and substance use concerns to all students being seen by a health care provider,” Wernicke said. “Any student who screens positive for these concerns is offered treatment.”

In the 2023 fiscal year, SHS had 725 behavioral health interactions with students, a 266% increase from the prior year.

Mason launched a partnership with a telemental health vendor, TimelyCare, in fall 2022. This care option reaches students wherever they are located, at whatever time is convenient for them. Through TimelyCare, students may access free mental health services 24/7, 365 days a year. As of January 2024, TimelyCare has provided mental health services to 1,518 Mason students since its launch.

Planning for the future: Mason continues to evolve its approach to supporting mental health. Wernicke serves as cochair of Mason’s Mental Health and Well-Being Task Force with Nance Lucas, executive director of Mason’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being.

“We are working to raise awareness of the resources available to our community and to make recommendations for programs, policies, practices, and services that will support a culture of mental health and well-being at Mason,” Wernicke said.

The task force includes students, faculty, and staff from across the university. “The charge is both aspirational and practical, focusing on creating a systems approach to mental health and well-being at Mason,” Wernicke said.

Putting ideas into action: This year, their goals are to identify a Mason model of mental health and well-being, recommend ways that well-being and mental health services can be expanded, enhance the inclusiveness of these programs and services, and increase community awareness of what is already available. The Patriots Thriving Together hub has been created as a starting point for Mason students and employees to find resources.

Finding joy: Practicing what she preaches, Wernicke finds ways to support her own well-being. “I have three kids—they’re in college, high school, and middle school—so keeping up with their activities and staying connected with them is a priority,” Wernicke said. “Music is a major source of well-being for me and something I enjoy with my family.” She also finds joy and relaxation by exercising, running, spending time with friends, and cooking.

Support from all around: Wernicke says she thrives at Mason because of the people around her. “I’m lucky to be able to work with some of the most talented and committed clinicians, educators, and advocates in CAPS, SHS, and Disability Services,” Wernicke said. “I appreciate being able to work with people from across the university who are committed to student health and well-being.”

Mental health and well-being resources at Mason:

Patriots Thriving Together
Counseling and Psychological Services: 703-993-2380
Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC): SSAC Support Request
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to reach a crisis counselor
TimelyCare
Mason's Center for Community Mental Health

Watch Wernicke’s Tedx Talk, “Mental Health in the New Normal: Shaping �鶹�� COVID Stories,” for more insights about the pandemic’s impact on mental health and well-being.

Watch Wernicke's Tedx Talk

Mental Health and Well-Being Resources at Mason

Meet more of the Mason Nation

Meet the Mason Nation: CJ Minteer
March 12, 2025
Meet the Mason Nation: Traci Kendall
February 28, 2025
Meet the Mason Nation: Nandini Koka
November 22, 2024
Meet the Mason Nation: Marit Majeske
October 11, 2024
Meet the Mason Nation: Mihee Cho
June 19, 2024

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Fostering kindness is just good business

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 18:49:10 +0000

Fostering kindness is just good business Lauren Reuscher Wed, 09/20/2023 - 14:49

Here’s how one school uses the Mason Chooses Kindness Toolkit at the unit level.

In 2020 Nance Lucas, executive director and chief well-being officer of the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being at George Mason �鶹��, and Lewis Forrest II, associate dean for �鶹�� Life, created Mason Chooses Kindness (MCK).

“From the beginning, Mason Chooses Kindness has worked to elevate the idea and actions related to kindness across our campus,” Forrest said. In the 2022-23 academic year, 30 members representing 19 departments or units across Mason were part of the Mason Chooses Kindness committee.

Kindness Station at the School of Business includes treats, giveaways, and tips on how to spread kindness at Mason. Photo by School of Business

After attending university-wide Mason Chooses Kindness events, several School of Business colleagues saw an opportunity to address a larger need for continued encouragement and connection within their unit. Jackie Brown (MA ’12), area chair and senior instructor, business foundations; Cameron Harris (BA ’06), assistant area chair and associate professor, business foundations; Gretchen Hendricks, senior instructor, business foundations; and Christine Landoll (BS Accounting ’89, MS Taxation ’92), director of business engagement at the School of Business, formed the core of the group.

This “goodwill team” highlights and encourages acts of kindness and well-being across the school, leading the first unit-focused MCK activities. With the support of School of Business Dean Ajay Vinzé, the group focuses on four key areas: staff and faculty recognition and engagement, student engagement, alumni engagement, and curricular impact.

“I am delighted with the efforts of our team,” Vinzé said. “The intent of Mason Chooses Kindness and its applications are closely aligned with a key strategic priority for the business school, one that emphasizes our focus on inclusive excellence and a cohesive culture.”

One way the team has implemented kindness in the school is through its Kindness Stations at each school location. Kindness stations include a quick list of no-cost acts of kindness that can be done right at the station, such as using the Thank a Teacher or Pats for Patriots forms to share gratitude or recognition. They also served as a one-stop shop for other tips, such as helping a colleague or classmate, smiling and checking on friends and colleagues. The stations also included giveaways such as coffee, cookies, small succulent plants, and stickers, as well as fidget toys that could be borrowed from the station.

As a result of the increased visibility of Pats for Patriots, the School of Business submitted more Pats for Patriots than any other school or college during the academic year.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of �鶹�� Branding

The emphasis on kindness also extends to the student experience. In the BUS 103/303: Developing Your Professional Skills I and II classes, kindness and well-being are integrated into the curriculum. In BUS 103, students are asked to participate in mindfulness exercises and complete gratitude journals or cards to help deal with end of the semester stress. In BUS 303, students are asked to write for the Thriving Together Series through the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, which is a series that highlights both the research and practices used to enhance one’s well-being. This assignment allows students the opportunity to research professional skills topics through a well-being lens.

Mason sophomore Jivantha Fernando became a Kindness Ambassador in fall 2022. “Many peers and professors have embraced me for my kindness. As an international student [being a Kindness Ambassador] has also given me the chance to spread kindness from my cultural viewpoint,” Fernando said.

Lucas is pleased with the growth of the project. “I applaud my colleagues in the School of Business,” Lucas said. “We’ll be able to apply what they’ve developed and lessons learned to other units across the university, which puts us on a path to sustaining this kindness revolution at Mason.”

Interested in getting involved with MCK or learning more about how to integrate kindness into your microcosm? Check out the MCK Toolkit.

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Mason partners with TimelyMD to improve student health and well-being

John Hollis — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 18:20:30 +0000

Mason partners with TimelyMD to improve student health and well-being John Hollis Mon, 10/24/2022 - 14:20

Mason and TimelyMD have partnered to improve student health and well-being. Graphic provided

George Mason �鶹�� and TimelyMD have teamed up in an effort to improve student health and overall well-being with free and equitable access to mental health support.

The TimelyCare platform, which launched on October 17, provides a 24/7 virtual extension of campus counseling center resources to improve student well-being, engagement, and retention.

Using TimelyCare on a phone or other device, Mason students can now select from a wide-ranging menu of virtual care options from licensed counselors in all 50 states at no cost and without the hassle of traditional insurance.

Services included on-demand mental health and emotional support, appointment-based mental health counseling, psychiatric support, health coaching and digital self-care content in a hybrid model of care in collaboration with on-campus resources.

“TimelyCare is a great complement, and supplement, that enhances our existing university support services,” said Provost and Executive Vice President Mark Ginsberg. “Students now have more options when looking for help—wherever they are and whenever they have a need.” 

In addition, faculty and staff have access to support that empowers them to guide students to TimelyCare resources to help students achieve a sense of well-being, live healthier lifestyles and improve their mental health.

Benefits to students include convenient 24/7 care, reduced wait times, a diverse provider network and the peace of mind that comes from knowing that TimelyCare is a safe, secure, and HIPAA-compliant platform that follows campus-specific protocols to facilitate care coordination and follow-up to ensure continuity of care.

Student do not need insurance to access TimelyCare, and will have access to it until the last day of their graduating semester.

“The health and safety of our students is our top priority," said Rose Pascarell, Mason's vice president for �鶹�� Life. “TimelyCare’s ease of use, convenience and immediacy make it easier than ever for our students to get the support they need, when they need it.” 

That’s just what Michelle Melo had in mind when the second-year master's student from Manila, Philippines, studying systems engineering first downloaded the TimelyCare app.

She said she found the platform “very easy” to use and of great value, especially to international students like herself who hail from cultures where there can be a stigma surrounding mental health issues.

“Having a resource to help our mental well-being will help us move away from the stigma that mental health is just a mood swing and actually assist us in receiving the help that we need,” Melo said.

The need for 24/7 access to high-quality care has never been more important. According to the American Council on Education, student mental health is the top concern of college and university presidents and is also the number one reason students leave college. A recent report by Gallup and the Lumina Foundation found that three out of four students in bachelor’s degrees programs who considered stopping out – stopping with the intention of returning to school – cited emotional stress as their reason.

Sixty percent of all students who have sought mental health support through TimelyCare said they would have done nothing if the service were not available, according to the company.

“Meeting the need for equitable, on-demand access to care is a critical challenge that extends beyond campus boundaries. TimelyCare allows colleges and universities like George Mason �鶹�� to solve problems rather than just treat symptoms,” said Luke Hejl, TimelyMD CEO and co-founder. “�鶹�� mission at TimelyMD is to improve the health and well-being of college students by making virtual care accessible anytime, anywhere. Through TimelyCare, we are proud to deliver best-in-class health and well-being solutions to help students thrive.”

Founded in 2017, TimelyMD serves more than a million students at more than 200 campuses nationwide.

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Research says club sports are Mason’s untapped resource

Colleen Rich — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 18:22:08 +0000

Research says club sports are Mason’s untapped resource Colleen Rich Wed, 09/28/2022 - 14:22

Participation in club sports is a significant factor in bringing in and maintaining students at George Mason �鶹��, and also contributes to higher graduation rates, a new study has found.

Zikun Li. Photo by Cristian Torres/Strategic Communications

The research, by Mason PhD student Zikun Li, also found that as an engine for recruiting students, club sports could be added to Mason’s broader admissions and marketing strategies.

“These findings enhance the understanding of club sports and its broader impact on the university,” Li said. “Maybe it will inspire other universities to do some comparative studies.”

Li, who is in the interdisciplinary specialization program through the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), began the study in December 2021 after a request from Paul Bazzano, assistant director of competitive sports, camps, and athletic training at Mason Recreation.

Laurence Chalip, a CEHD professor, a member of Mason’s Recreation Advisory Board, and Li’s advisor, asked his students if anyone was interested. Li was all in, even though the subject was not exactly in her program concentration of sport for development.

In that way, Li embodies Mason’s goal of delivering All Together Different by acting with confidence while trying something unconventional that challenges the status quo.

“As a novice scholar, I appreciate the interconnectedness among disciplines,” said Li, who earned her undergraduate degree in her native China and her master’s at the �鶹�� of Michigan. “Because of Mason’s interdisciplinary program I have been able to take courses outside the sports area, which gives me a refreshing way to look at it. I’m able to see sports in a broader way.”

“Zikun is deeply interested in the ways in which sport is used effectively and ineffectively for development purposes,” Chalip said. “But clearly, when you work in the policy world, economics matter. Policymakers want to know what the numbers look like. So to develop the kind of skills that will enable her to work in the policy world—understanding how to collect data, and analyzing and thinking through financial data—is really vital. So it made great sense.”

Mason's men's ice hockey team was among the club sports that scored high in terms of players choosing Mason to participate in the sport. Photo by Lathan Goumas/Strategic Communications

Li surveyed 425 undergraduate club sports athletes during the 2021-22 academic year. The data were eye-opening.

For example ...

The aggregate spending by undergraduate club sports athletes at Mason in the 2021-22 academic year—including tuition, campus fees, campus housing, food, Mason gear, study-related supplies, parking, and health insurance through the university, minus financial aid—is estimated at more than $21 million.
Athletes agreed that playing club sports factored into their decision to attend and stay enrolled at Mason, and their decision to recommend the university to potential students. Those participating in men’s ice hockey and men’s football (both of which actively recruit athletes to attend Mason), were especially strong on those scores, with 92.3% of football players and 100% of hockey players saying their participation is a factor in remaining at Mason.
Students who participate in club sports as freshmen, even if they did not participate as sophomores, graduated at a significantly higher rate than the overall undergraduate student body: 76% to 70.1% for six-year graduates; 66% to 65.7% for five-year graduates; 54% to 47.4% for four-year graduates.

Why is this information important?

“�鶹�� goal was to gather information for us to make the best decisions moving forward as a department and a university,” Bazzano said. “Is recruiting an opportunity for some of our other clubs? Is recruitment something that can differentiate ourselves from other universities?”

There is also a financial consideration, Bazzano said.

“Is there any way we can restructure to support those programs, to lower the barriers of student participants funding them?” he said. “The focus is on how we can reimagine our budget and restructure what we’re doing.”

Andrew Bunting, Mason’s executive director of enrollment services, also found Li’s research useful.

“Her work is certainly research of consequence and can have a direct impact on the way the Mason markets itself to prospective students,” Bunting said. “Zikun’s findings help us to better understand the various and often very personalized factors that motivate students to apply, enroll, and persist at the university.”

Li, who plans to graduate by the end of 2023 and hopes to turn the research into a publishable paper, said the research experience will benefit her eventual search for a faculty position.

“This study not only generated my interest in continuously understanding club sports, but also enhanced my data analysis skills,” Li said. “To do some hands-on analysis really gave me confidence to do more quantitative research in the future.”

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Exercise is Medicine honors Mason for creating a well-being culture

Colleen Rich — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 17:28:07 +0000

Exercise is Medicine honors Mason for creating a well-being culture Colleen Rich Tue, 04/12/2022 - 13:28

George Mason �鶹�� earned a silver-level designation from Exercise is Medicine-On Campus (EIM-OC) for its commitment to health and wellness.

The Mason community gathers for the annual Happy Heart Walk on the Fairfax Campus. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

Mason is one of 156 universities and colleges around the world to be honored by Exercise is Medicine^® for its efforts to create a well-being culture on campus. The silver rating highlights campuses that engage students, faculty, and staff in education initiatives and make movement part of the daily campus culture.

�鶹��-wide initiatives that contributed to the rating include the Mason Nation Thriving Together 5k, a Mason Exercise is Medicine Instagram account, and other activities including fitness webinars, bingo, and an exercise is medicine walk led by a health and fitness professional.

In summer 2021, Debra Stroiney, EIM-OC advisor in Mason’s School of Kinesiology, partnered with Becky Demus, assistant director of fitness at Mason Recreation, to form Mason’s first EIM-OC leadership team. The team includes faculty, staff, and students who want to help promote how exercise is in fact medicine.

Demus said the team has formed strong partnerships across campus to help educate students on the importance of physical activity.

“We want to spread the word to the Mason community that exercise should be thought of as medicine, and that you can make exercise work for you—in a way that fits your schedule and is enjoyable,” Demus said.

One goal of the leadership team is to establish a health assessment program that will be accessible on all campuses, as well as a referral program with Student Health Services and Counseling and Psychological Services.

“With this team we are working to increase the visibility of this important initiative on all campuses,” Stoiney said.

The program recognized 156 colleges and universities this year, with 73 earning gold, 50 earning silver, an 23 earning bronze recognition. All 156 will be recognized on June 1 as part of the 2022 Exercise is Medicine World Congress, held in conjunction with the American College of Sports Medicine’s Annual Meeting.

“We are thrilled to recognize these campuses’ commitment to make movement a part of daily campus culture and give students the tools to cultivate physical activity habits that will benefit them throughout their lives,” said Robyn Stuhr, vice president of Exercise is Medicine.

The American College of Sports Medicine co-launched Exercise is Medicine® in 2007 with the American Medical Association. EIM-OC, which launched in 2014, calls on universities and colleges to promote physical activity as a vital sign of health, and encourages faculty, staff, and students to work together to improve their campus community’s health and well-being.

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Department of Health Administration and Policy Awarded HRSA Cooperative Agreement to Create Health Workforce Resilience Training

John Brandon Cantrell — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 14:34:25 +0000

Department of Health Administration and Policy Awarded HRSA Cooperative Agreement to Create Health Workforce Resilience Training John Brandon C… Tue, 02/22/2022 - 09:34

Funding supports efforts to improve mental health and well-being of health care providers.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded George Mason �鶹��’s Department of Health Administration and Policy in the College of Health and Human Services a $2 million three-year cooperative agreement to create a Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Training Program. The goal is to support the mental health and well-being of the current health care workforce and preserve and enhance the psychological well-being of future health professionals.

“Burnout is not new to health care and public health professionals, but it has reached a crisis point due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Debora Goldberg, associate professor in the Department of Health Administration and Policy, who will lead the Program. “Health care professionals are dealing with longer work hours, inadequate staffing, sleep deprivation, and increased exposure to death and dying. All these factors lead to extraordinary levels of stress, burnout, and serious psychiatric symptoms, including increased risk of suicidal thoughts and suicide.” In addition to the health of individual workers, this also has a negative effect on patient care and health care organizations.

The mission of the Mason Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Training Program is to develop and deliver accessible education and training activities that advance the overall safety, health, and well-being of a diverse population of nurses, social workers, public health practitioners, and leaders practicing in rural and underserved communities. Mason's interdisciplinary team will take a systems approach to address resiliency and optimal well-being of the individual within their health care organizations and working environments.

“The pandemic has shown us how vital it is to take care of ourselves, especially for our health care professionals who are facing immense challenges on the front lines of COVID-19,” said Senator Tim Kaine (VA-D) in a press release. “As we’ve seen the last two years, to ensure our nation has the medical workforce necessary to respond to public health crises, we need to support our health care providers.” Mason is one of three Virginia universities that received funding as part of the American Rescue Plan that U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is distributing across the country to reduce burnout and promote mental health among the health workforce.

The Program at Mason is an interdisciplinary, collaborative effort. Nance Lucas, executive director of Mason’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being will lead the Program’s short-term trainings. Cheryl Oetjen, Interim Chair of the School of Nursing; Holly Motto, Associate Professor of Social Work; and Ali Weinstein, Associate Professor of Global and Community Health, will serve as leads for curriculum enhancement in their departments.

Additionally, the program will draw on the expertise and outreach capabilities of a wide range of national and regional partner organizations, which will help the Mason Program understand the needs of health professionals in rural and underserved areas. National partners include America’s Essential Hospitals (AEH), the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). Regional organizations include the Northern Virginia Area Health Education Center (NVAHEC), Virginia Community Health Association (VCHA), the Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-VA), and the Virginia Association of Colleges of Nursing (VACN).

The Program at Mason will offer a variety of in-person and distance learning pathways to students and working health care professionals. The program will include special guest speakers in the Leading to Well-Being Speaker Series, Leading Thriving Organizations Certificate Program, a specialized Resilience Badge for frontline health workers, and the Mental Health First Aid Certificate program. Funding will also support enhancing the College of Health and Human Services’ curriculum to include evidence-based strategies to reduce burnout, suicide, mental health complications, and substance use disorders, and promote resiliency among health care professionals. Students will also use the College’s Virtual Reality and Simulation lab to prepare for challenging situations in an interprofessional team and learn strategies to increase resiliency.

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Department of Health Administration and Policy

HAP Faculty

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workforce

Podcast - EP26: COVID-19 mental health crisis is the second pandemic

Damian Cristodero — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 12:56:40 +0000

Podcast - EP26: COVID-19 mental health crisis is the second pandemic Damian Cristodero Tue, 06/08/2021 - 08:56

In This Story

Gregory Washington

COVID-19 presented individuals with many challenges. Some were obvious, such as how to continue one’s education through distance learning. But some were not as clear cut, such as dealing with anxiety, depression and grief. Robyn Mehlenbeck, director of Mason’s Center for Psychological Services, spoke with Mason President Gregory Washington about how college campuses can deal with those stresses, how her center is extending services to the broader community, and why the mental health crises associated with COVID-19 is the second pandemic.

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College of Humanities and Social Sciences Center for Psychological Services

Gregory Washington

Robyn Mehlenbeck

Well-Being

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Meet the Mason Nation: Nandini Koka

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Job: Executive Director, Student Health Services

More about Student Health Services

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Meet the Mason Nation: Rachel Wernicke, associate dean and chief mental health officer

Rachel Wernicke

Job: Associate Dean and Chief Mental Health Officer, �鶹���� Life

Mental health and well-being resources at Mason:

Watch Wernicke's Tedx Talk

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Meet more of the Mason Nation

Topics

Fostering kindness is just good business

More about Mason Chooses Kindness

More about the School of Business

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Mason partners with TimelyMD to improve student health and well-being

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Research says club sports are Mason’s untapped resource

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Exercise is Medicine honors Mason for creating a well-being culture

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Department of Health Administration and Policy Awarded HRSA Cooperative Agreement to Create Health Workforce Resilience Training

Funding supports efforts to improve mental health and well-being of health care providers.

Topics

Podcast - EP26: COVID-19 mental health crisis is the second pandemic

In This Story

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Job: Associate Dean and Chief Mental Health Officer, �鶹�� Life