Governor Pete Ricketts and Terry Julian pictured.
Nebraska was presented with the Governor’s Wellness Award on September 18, 2017. Governor Pete Ricketts and the Department of Health and Human Services announced this year’s recipients. This is the 10th year recognizing businesses for their dedication to improving the wellness of their organization.
One of the recipients of the award is Hastings resident, Terry Julian. Julian is the staff Wellness Coordinator for Hastings Public Schools. She is also a fitness instructor at the Hastings Family YMCA, a member of the YMCA staff wellness team, and a member of Healthy Hastings.
“The award represents our efforts to give our staff the encouragement, resources and information they need to help empower them to lead a healthy lifestyle and to build a culture of wellness,” said Julian.
Superintendent of the Hastings Public Schools, Craig Kautz, plays a major role in the community as well.
“I am the chief executive officer of the HPS Board of Education. My job requires that I focus on the student learning, encourage staff to work together, and work towards continuously improving HPS through data tracking/analysis and through other sources of information,” said Kautz.
The award is won through an application process.
“The award is for organizations who meet certain criteria in the following areas as it relates to employees: wellness leadership, data collection to improve wellness, wellness planning, policies as they relate to wellness, and community involvement in wellness programming,” said Kautz.
Tonya Vyhlidal works with the Educators Health Alliance as a Wellness Coordinator to support over 145 schools across the state implement, manage, and promote their wellness programs.
“It (the application process) is a rigorous process and not an easy task,” said Vyhlidal.
Awards will be presented at four separate award ceremonies. The ceremonies will be held this year in Gering on September 21, Kearney on September 28, Lincoln on October 11, and Omaha on November 7.
