Livonia Specialty Care is one of the first departments to be recognized with the Well-Being Award. Livonia Specialty Care has implemented a healthy snack calendar, along with regular lunch time walks. They are working hard as a group to become more aware of healthy food choices. In addition, Livonia Specialty Care gathered 20 employees to participate in National Employee Health & Fitness Day walks at their location. Well-Being is truly a team effort at Livonia Specialty Care.

Ann very simply says that she just feels better when she eats right and exercises. But to get a better idea of how Ann encourages Well-Being, her nominator had this to say:

“Ann constantly motivates her peers and encourages a healthier lifestyle. She doesn't just talk about a healthier lifestyle she leads by example! She is always willing to help others in getting started and reminds them-‘just do what you can-you can do more later.’ She is reassuring and supportive and causes you to want to do better and ‘get fit’. Not only does she encourage her peers, but she also helps outside of the hospital, working with kids to encourage a healthier lifestyle.

Melina adds that well-being has changed her such that she can now do more with her life—fitting in much more activity and productive work into her waking hours. As a mother with young children, she has much less time for herself than she once had, but is able to do more with that time.

Taking responsibility for your health is part of what makes Well-Being possible. Here’s what Tim’s nominator had to say, “A few years ago Tim was faced with the prospect of having open heart surgery. Instead of doing what most people would do – get scared into having the surgery - Tim chose the more difficult option. He chose to put his life in his own hands. He researched the surgery and decided that the risks were not worth the benefits. Instead, he opted to control his health with behavior modification. Tim has cut down the medications he takes to just one. Tim brings his lunch nearly everyday. He always shares his recipes and cooking tips along with other healthy tips or the latest health-related info that he has learned.”

Tim describes well-being as personal control of one’s life and health. His exercise goal is 5-6 days a week and he has lost 94 pounds, as well as 10 inches off his trouser size! He says he enjoys a level of energy and activity that he hadn’t known for over a decade.