Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

SU Achieves American Heart Association Gold as a Fit-Friendly Worksite

Thursday, February 4, 2016, By News Staff
Share

AHA logoFor the first time, Syracuse University has been recognized by the American Heart Association with its Gold Achievement award for the University’s efforts to support employee heart health and be a Fit-Friendly Worksite.

“This is recognition that the University is investing in the well-being of its employees and creating a culture of health and wellness, really making an impact and transforming people’s lives on campus and in our community,” says the American Heart Association’s Denise McGraw.

Syracuse University joins 42 Central New York organizations representing more than 52,000 employees—and 2,004 organizations with more than 5.3 million employees nationwide—on the American Heart Association’s Fit-Friendly Worksites Honor Roll.

A key factor leading to this national recognition is the University’s commitment to being a tobacco-free campus, established last year by the adoption of a tobacco-free policy on July 1, 2015. “That had to happen before Syracuse University could even be considered for the gold designation,” McGraw says.

Other factors were the large number and variety of health and wellness programs sponsored by the University’s Wellness Initiative, Recreation Services and Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion, among others, such as Healthy Monday, Walktober, the Monday Mile, free fitness and tobacco-cessation classes, and the Mindful Eating and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) classes.

“Syracuse University strives to support a culture of health and wellness by implementing policies and practices that create healthy environments and offer opportunities for enhancing health and well-being,” says Gail Grozalis, executive director of wellness for faculty and staff. “The implementation of the Tobacco-Free Campus is only one facet of the University’s commitment to a healthy campus community. The many wellness and work-life programs, services and resources available to faculty and staff enrich quality of life and help individuals optimize both personal and professional satisfaction and performance.”

Faculty and staff can check out what the Wellness Initiative has on tap for spring, learn more about MBSR, free blood pressure clinics and healthy eating, and explore what Carebridge brings to the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) on the Wellness Initiative website.

Joseph Lore, director of recreation services at Syracuse University, sees the American Heart Association award as proof that the University is doing something right when it comes to the health and fitness of its workforce.

“This designation acknowledges our goal in providing the campus community with many resources to live healthy and active lives,” Lore says. He encourages faculty and staff to explore what Recreation Services can provide.

“The University workforce is offered unique opportunities to participate in diverse programs and services, ranging from fitness centers, group classes and personal training to ice skating, adventure trips and intramural sports, plus team-building and other personal and staff development activities,” Lore says.

Leah Moser, who coordinates the Healthy Monday programs for the Lerner Center, said the University community is fortunate to have not only strong institutional support for health and wellness, but a diverse array of programs, initiatives and activities that offer individuals opportunities to enhance personal well-being on their own terms.

“At the Lerner Center, we recognize that wellness means many things, so with the Healthy Monday initiative we work with our campus partners to offer a variety of free programs for all members of our campus community,” Moser says. “From healthy dining options, free fitness classes and Monday Mile walking routes, to a weekly meditation and more, we support employees on the path to achieving good health.”

“We love that Syracuse University is focused on the health of the campus community, and we hope to partner with them in more and more ways going forward,” says the Heart Association’s Denise McGraw, director of the annual Syracuse Heart Walk, which is Saturday, April 2, this year and typically includes a strong showing by Syracuse University teams.

To participate in the 2016 Heart Walk, you can sign up as an individual, create a team, or support a participant by visiting the Syracuse Heart Walk Registration website.

The University will show its support for the Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign and National Wear Red Day by lighting the Hall of Languages in red on the evenings of Thursday, Feb. 4, and Friday, Feb. 5. February is American Heart Month.

 

  • Author

News Staff

  • Recent
  • VPA Design Professor Named ‘Educator to Watch’ by Graphic Design USA
    Monday, December 11, 2023, By Erica Blust
  • Applications Open for SOURCE Explore, an Undergraduate Short-Term Research Experience
    Monday, December 11, 2023, By Cristina Hatem
  • Iona Volynets Named a 2024 Marshall Scholar
    Monday, December 11, 2023, By Kelly Homan Rodoski
  • Innovation Fund at SyracuseCoE Awards $40,000 to Local Climate Tech Companies
    Friday, December 8, 2023, By News Staff
  • Psychology Professor and Ph.D. Candidate Awarded NIH Grants for Alcohol-Related Research and Treatment
    Friday, December 8, 2023, By Dan Bernardi

More In Campus & Community

Applications Open for SOURCE Explore, an Undergraduate Short-Term Research Experience

The Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE) is offering a short-term research experience for first- and second-year undergraduate students, SOURCE Explore, on four Fridays from January through March. SOURCE Explore introduces curious students with no prior research…

Innovation Fund at SyracuseCoE Awards $40,000 to Local Climate Tech Companies

Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems has awarded grants to four New York State companies through its Innovation Fund. Since 2014, the SyracuseCoE Innovation Fund has helped companies overcome barriers to the commercialization of potentially transformative products…

Auxiliary Services Expands Dining Choices, Meal Plan Options and ’Cuse Cash Opportunities, Adds 727 South Crouse Ave. to Housing Portfolio

Ahead of the Spring 2024 semester and the housing selection process for the 2024-25 school year, Auxiliary Services is enhancing its dining, residential and meal plan options for students living on campus. Upgrades and Renovations to South Campus Dining Facilities…

Former Blackstone LaunchPad Duo Shine in Forbes 30 Under 30 Awards With OthersideAI

The 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 awards have spotlighted the duo of Matt Shumer and Jason Kuperberg ’18, founders of OthersideAI, who got their start at the University’s Blackstone LaunchPad. The two entrepreneurs were selected in the highly competitive consumer technology…

2023-24 Winter Break/Orange Appreciation Days Operating Schedule

In continuation of Syracuse University’s commitment to providing comprehensive benefits and in appreciation of the contributions of faculty and staff, the University will be operating under its holiday schedule and Orange Appreciation Days format for the winter break period from 5…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2023 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.