Three members of the medical center community will receive the Light of Wellness Award from the Wellness Council of the Midlands (WELCOM) on Thursday night.
The medical center honorees are:
- Peter Pellerito, fitness specialist at the UNMC Center for Healthy Living;
- Robin Lawrentz, asset management specialist at The Nebraska Medical Center; and
- Troy Wilhelm, chief financial officer for UNMC Physicians.
The Light of Wellness Award was created to recognize the founder and inspiration for worksite wellness in America, Omaha native and business leader William M. Kizer.
Kizer founded WELCOM in 1982 and the Wellness Councils of America, the national non-profit organization, in 1987. He is chairman emeritus of Central States Indemnity.
Helping others drives Pellerito
In his role at UNMC, Pellerito helps employees, students and patients develop health programs and maintain healthier lives.
His efforts have also helped the Center for Healthy Living become the wellness hub for the UNMC campus.
“It’s valuable for me to help people to learn how to make healthy choices,” he said.
Illness motivates Lawrentz
Lawrentz walks between four and eight miles each day and sometimes even more. An impressive fact when one considers that an illness in 1996 nearly left in him in a wheelchair.
“That was something I couldn’t accept,” he said.
He started walking, beat his illness and inspired many who know him along the way.
Wilhelm creates a healthy environment
Wilhelm works hard to make sure UNMC Physicians employees have a well workplace.
“We’re very concerned as an employer that our colleagues have all of the tools available to them to understand the various dimensions of wellness that go beyond just physical health,” he said.
One such tool is an innovative Web site that unites UNMC Physician employees across the Omaha area and creates a better sense of belonging.
Wilhelm also is example of the benefits of wellness as he quit smoking a few years ago and replaced his habit with a healthier lifestyle that includes lots of exercise.