Wellness Wednesdays: Walk With Us

Julie Griffith, MPH
Director of Wellness, Academic Enterprise

As I step into my role as the new Director of Wellness for the Academic Enterprise at UTMB, I’ve been struck by the beauty of our Galveston campus, the incredible spring weather we’ve been enjoying, and the growing enthusiasm for wellness and connection across our community. It feels like the perfect moment to encourage all of us to get outside and move a little more, together.

April is recognized as Move More Month, an initiative inspired by our partners at the American Heart Association, reminding us that even small amounts of movement, like walking, can have a big impact on our health. Walking supports cardiovascular health, reduces stress, improves mood, and even boosts creativity. It’s one of the simplest and most effective ways to take care of ourselves.

In Blue Zone communities, places like Sardinia or Ikaria, movement isn’t something people carve out time for on a calendar, it’s simply part of daily life. Residents often walk to visit neighbors, run errands, or gather in town. Walking, connecting with others and taking a moment to reset are woven into the day. This idea of “moving naturally” is one of the core Blue Zones principles, and it’s something we can begin to incorporate here at UTMB.

As part of the Office of the Provost’s efforts to build a culture of well-being, the Office of Wellness is launching our first introductory initiative, “Wellness Wednesday: Walk With Us." Every Wednesday in April, I invite you to step away from work for a moment, get moving, connect with one another, and join me as we kick off wellness at UTMB.

Wellness Wednesdays: Walk With Us

Dates: Every Wednesday in April
Time: 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.
Location: Meet at Moody Medical Library entrance (under the overhang)
Registration: None required, open to all (weather dependent)

What to Expect: Participants are welcome to come on their own or with a colleague, wear normal work attire, and lace up their tennis shoes for a casual walking experience. Each session will include a brief welcome, a light warm-up, and a 20-minute walk around campus.

This is just the beginning, our first step on the path toward creating accessible and meaningful wellness experiences. I would love to hear from you, your ideas, your needs, and how we can best support you. Please feel free to reach out anytime at wellness@utmb.edu.

I hope to see you out walking with us this April!