Center for Community Health and Health Equity staff

All last month, BWH Bulletin asked BWHers to submit photos of their ideas of wellness for a photo campaign called “Your Health: What’s Your Wellness Choice?” From snapshots of quiet moments spent practicing yoga or flats fishing and plates filled with healthy offerings to people hiking, biking and competing in Spartan races, Bulletin received a variety of responses showcasing what wellness means to members of the BWH community.

The Center for Community Health and Health Equity (CCHHE) shared a staff photo with the quote: “Wellness for us is when people of all ages are valued and engaged, and our neighborhoods and families are at peace. We work together with all BWH staff to ensure racial and ethnic health inequities are eliminated.”

Beth Klos, RD, LDN, CDE, of Nutrition, shared a photo of a homemade Mexican-inspired dish, consisting of white fish with cilantro and lime, jicama and chili powder, and pineapple. “When I make a healthy meal, I sometimes try to mimic the culinary traditions I’ve enjoyed while traveling. The meal is not only a healthy and balanced plate but also a delicious souvenir.”

Spanish interpreter Rebecca Leiter, CMI, shared that she enjoys riding her bike from Newton to work each day. “It gives me time outside, some exercise and relaxes me. I also don’t pay for parking or deal with rush-hour traffic.”

For Psychiatry resident Claire Twark, training for triathlons is a major component of wellness.

BWH Food Services staff shared that they seek to cultivate a sense of wellness among employees, patients, families and visitors.

“The goal is for dining services at BWH to be integrated with the hospital’s mission of overall health and well-being,” said chef Peter Lamb, director of Food Services. “We have already introduced a variety of mindful recipes that use lots of fresh ingredients, and we are excited to offer meals that celebrate cultural diversity in the upcoming new Cafeteria space.”

Lamb and the Food Services team are looking into farm shares as a means of bringing in a variety of locally grown fruits, vegetables and dairy products. In addition to an upgraded menu, the new Cafeteria’s physical space will be transformed with more windows and light, creating a respite for guests, after renovations occur in the coming months.

“People use the Cafeteria as a place to take a break and relax,” said Ken Coder, operations manager for Food Services. “We want it to be a calming environment for our staff, patients and visitors.”

BWH offers a variety of wellness resources, including walking maps, online health assessments and workshops, desk yoga instruction, a smoking cessation study, running club, ergonomics training, spiritual care and employee assistance programs, and more. Learn more about employee wellness resources at BWH. View the photo gallery.

From left: Thoracic Surgery’s Corinne Gustafson and Yifan Zheng find wellness atop Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire.