Northwestern Earns Excellence Certification as a Certified Healthy Campus

July 6, 2021

Northwestern Oklahoma State University has been awarded Certified Healthy Campus status at the excellence level for 2020.

Certified Healthy Campus was created in 2011 to recognize both public and private post-secondary campuses and career technology centers that promote health and wellness for their faculty, staff, students and visitors. The program is administered by the Oklahoma Turning Point Council and the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Center for the Advancement of Wellness.

“We are proud of our university for this achievement,” Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president, said. “We proactively encourage our employees to stay active and healthy through policies in place, and even through programs at the J.R. Holder Wellness Center. Having healthy employees is vital to our workforce.”

Certifications are awarded at the basic, merit, and excellence levels, depending on the number of criteria fulfilled. A smoke-free policy is required for Basic, and a tobacco-free policy submitted with the application is required for Excellence. The Certified Healthy Oklahoma Campus Program 2020 received 42 applications and certified 40 campuses at the basic, merit or excellence level. Northwestern earned the excellence certification.

“The Certified Healthy Oklahoma program is an exciting way to shape our future,” Dr. Julie Dearing, state programs coordinator, said. “We care about the health of everyone around us. Let’s continue the momentum you have created to save lives and provide a healthier place to live, work, learn and play.”

Certified Healthy Oklahoma is a free statewide certification that recognizes entities going above and beyond to make health and wellness a priority for all. The program is open to businesses, campuses, communities, congregations, early childhood programs, restaurants and schools. Northwestern has received certifications from Certified Healthy Oklahoma every year since 2015.

“We strive to provide our campus with all types of options that can benefit the campus community’s health and wellness,” Olivia Yandel, J.R. Holder Wellness Center director, said. “It is so important that individuals make their health and wellness a priority for the betterment of their futures. I am very honored to be part of the culture here at Northwestern that supports positive health choices for its community members.”

For local information on Certified Healthy Oklahoma or the J.R. Holder Wellness Center contact Yandel at (580) 327-8109 or oayandel@nwosu.edu.

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