CUIMC Hosts Second Well-Being Fair For Employees

Columbia University Irving Medical Center hosted its second annual Well-Being Fair on Feb. 11 in Alumni Auditorium and the Schaefer Awards Gallery in the Black Building. The event was designed to promote heart health and general well-being among faculty and staff and foster community connectedness. Several CUIMC and Columbia offices, including CUIMC HR, CUIMC Events, the Well-Being Office, the Office of Work/Life, and CUIMC leadership, organized the event.

The event offered a variety of well-being, heart health, and relaxation activities, including Zumba, reiki, awareness through movement, acupuncture, chair massages, aromatherapy, hands-only CPR training, pet therapy, and NARCAN instruction. Also offered were free health screenings and information, including heart healthy nutrition tips. Attendees at the event received giveaway bags with CUIMC-branded swag items, a gratitude note signed by university leadership, and healthy snacks.

"Providing resources to encourage our employees to look after their physical and mental well-being is a top priority for CUIMC leadership," says Neil McClure, chief human resources officer at CUIMC. "The Well-Being Fair was a great opportunity to get acquainted with some of the resources available here on campus, and a reminder of the importance of staying connected with your workplace community."

Attendees at the Well-Being Fair had an opportunity to meet the therapy dogs.

Numerous CUIMC centers, programs and divisions, including the Institute of Human Nutrition, shared information and resources with attendees.

Numerous workshops were offered at the event, including a session on acupuncture.

P.O.W.E.R. in Pediatrics offered chair massages at the Well-Being Fair.

Attendees at the Well-Being Fair had the chance to learn hands-only CPR.

Light refreshments were served at the event, including fruit, granola, and yogurt.

The gratitude board offered attendees the opportunity to share something they felt thankful for.

Ashley Boyce, manager of staff engagement for CUIMC HR, said volunteers were a key component of the event's success.

"I truly enjoyed this year's fair and all that it had to offer," Boyce says. "I had the great opportunity to work with our volunteers for the event, and with so many moving parts throughout the day, their flexibility and willingness to step into unexpected roles created an experience that was not only seamless but impactful. I look forward to what next year will bring."