This past year, we were excited to kick off the GSBS Wellbeing Council, a dedicated group of students, faculty, and staff passionate about fostering a supportive and thriving community here at UT Health. As you read this, you may be asking- what is the mission and goal of this group? The GSBS Council is committed to achieving an individualized state of balance and health for students, faculty, and staff through:

• Enhancing connection and a sense of community
• Championing adaptability through resilience, opportunity, and support
• Cultivating a culture that embraces failure as a critical element of growth

Although, the GSBS Wellbeing Council is in its inaugural year, we are already off to a great start! One of the events we kicked off this past spring was Health and Wellness Week leading to a WellFest event. Health and Wellness Week focused on overall wellbeing and included yoga sessions, Tai Chi, meditation, Zumba, and crafts. The events focused on community engagement and personal wellbeing- the feeling of belonging in our community. Health and Wellness Week supported nearly 125 of our GSBS students, faculty, and staff. Our goal is to have this event again next year!

Additionally, we created badge tags that include wellness tips and resources. The front of the badge displays tips if you need a self-care break. The back of the badge includes important metal health, safety, and University support phone numbers. You can pick up a badge in the GSBS Administration office. We look forward to more successful events and working with YOU! Stay tuned for more events and activities!

Introducing our Wellbeing Corner. Here we will add tips made just for YOU! Our priority is making sure you know that there are resources available for just about everything and anything. Email us at GSBSStudentSuccess@uthscsa.edu to let us know what you want to see in the Wellbeing Corner!

Wellbeing Corner

As part of our efforts to support GSBS Wellbeing, we encourage you to take care of yourself, especially during this busy time filled with gatherings, deadlines, and stress.

Consider ways to improve your well-being at the mental, physical, and emotional level…

• Mental: Meditation; Yoga, Student Counseling Center (SCC), and rest your mind.
• Physical: Take a walk around campus and get your Gold’s Gym Pass!
• Emotional: Write in a journal, call your family, and be gentle with yourself.

Connection and belonging are key components of wellbeing. We encourage you to consider ways of connecting with others:

• Get involved in the community by volunteering
  • • Food Bank
    • Local non-profit organization
• Get involved on campus
  • • Join a student organization
    • Join an intramural sport
• Check-in on a friend
• Celebrate your accomplishments no matter how small

Let’s meet the incredible individuals behind the council, each bringing unique experiences and commitment to wellbeing.

Students: 

Belinda Bernal​, MS Cell Systems & Anatomy​

Priya Narayanan​, MS Immunology & Infection​

Sierra Hathaway​, PhD Integrated ​Biomedical Sciences​

Staff:

Lucero Coronado​, Cellular & Integrative​ Physiology​

Laura Gomez, MS ​Radiological Sciences​

Faculty:

Rozmin Jiwani, PhD, RN​ School of Nursing​

Shamim Mustafa, PhD​ Pediatrics​

Nameer Kirma, PhD​ Molecular Medicine

Ad-Hoc Members:

Jessica Nute, PhD, Interim Wellbeing Council Chair, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs

Amanda Ramirez, Ph.D., Director of Student Success​

Madison Vega, MPA, Special Events Manager

If you are interested in joining the Wellbeing Council in 2025, please fill out this survey of interest. For more resources and volunteering opportunities/information, please visit the GSBS Sharepoint website!

Written By: Belinda Bernal and Sierra Hathaway