The Wellness Council of the Midlands (WELCOM) recently honored Bonita Tompkins, an assistant in the human resources department at UNMC, with the William M. Kizer “Light of Wellness” Award, recognizing employees who have made extraordinary healthy lifestyle changes as a result of their companies’ wellness programs.
Tompkins was one of eight Omaha business professionals to be recognized during WELCOM’s third annual banquet on Nov. 6.
“There are several co-workers who have inspired me,” Tompkins said. “I have also had great support from my husband and family.”
Since August of 2003 Tompkins has achieved a 40-pound weight loss and hopes to meet her goal of losing 55-pounds by spring.
“The last 15 pounds are the hardest to lose,” Tompkins said. “But I know that I can do it with the support of everyone around me.”
As a result of the weight loss, Tompkins has been taken off all but one of her medications for hypertension.
Tompkins attributes these major lifestyle changes to a variety of health promotion efforts implemented at UNMC, including the monthly Health-e Headlines newsletter, a health fair, Weight Watchers and walking pedometers.
She now eats more nutritiously, eats smaller portions, reads food labels and walks four miles, four to five times per week.
Tompkins said she plans to make her new health habits a life-long commitment.
“I decided to pursue a healthier lifestyle for many reasons,” she said. “My husband, children and grandchildren are a big part of my life and I want to be around to enjoy many years of family events and activities. But most of all, I feel so much better, have more energy, and know that I can enjoy life living a healthier lifestyle.”
Nominees for the Light of Wellness Award have to meet criteria in five categories including social, physical, intellectual, spiritual and emotional health.
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 the Wellness Council of the Midlands in 1982 and the Wellness Councils of America, a national non-profit organization, in 1987. Kizer also serves as the chairman of the board for Central States Indemnity.
“The Light of Wellness recipients are models of what Bill Kizer envisioned for worksite wellness and the positive impact it can have on individuals and the success of their companies,” said Howie Halperin, executive director of WELCOM.