Other Titles
Special Session/Plenary Session
Abstract
This presentation outlines scalable strategies for promoting a healthy workplace in academic settings and beyond. Drawing on the WHO's Healthy Workplace Framework, the founder and chair of the University of Detroit Mercy College of Health Professions Wellness Committee describes the committee’s evolution from a suicide-prevention focus to a comprehensive culture of well-being that supports personal resilience, professional excellence, and compassionate preparation of future health professionals.
Notes
Presenter notes available in attached slide deck.
References:
Burton, J. (2010). WHO healthy workplace framework and model: Background and supporting literature and practices. World Health Organization, Geneva.
Germer, C. & Neff, K. (2019). Teaching the mindful self-compassion program: A guide for professionals. The Guilford Press Kabat-Zinn J. (2001). Mindfulness meditation for everyday life. Piatkus.
Kotter, J. P. (2024). 8 steps to accelerate change in your organization.
Killingsworth, M. A. & Gilbert, D. T. (2010). A wandering mind is an unhappy mind. Science, 330(6006), p. 932.
University of Detroit Mercy (January, 2026). About University of Detroit Mercy. https://www.udmercy.edu/about
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Well-Being, Mindfulness, Work Environment, Corporate Culture, Universities & Colleges, Nursing Education
Recommended Citation
Ahlquist, Jennifer and Kwasky, Andrea, "Creating a Shared Culture of Well-Being in the Academic Setting" (2026). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 61.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2026/presentations_2026/61
Conference Name
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Washington, DC, USA
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
None: Event Material, Invited Presentation
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-05-02
Creating a Shared Culture of Well-Being in the Academic Setting
Washington, DC, USA
This presentation outlines scalable strategies for promoting a healthy workplace in academic settings and beyond. Drawing on the WHO's Healthy Workplace Framework, the founder and chair of the University of Detroit Mercy College of Health Professions Wellness Committee describes the committee’s evolution from a suicide-prevention focus to a comprehensive culture of well-being that supports personal resilience, professional excellence, and compassionate preparation of future health professionals.
Description
2026 Healthy Work Environment Award recipients