Anna Threadcraft, UAB’s new director of Employee Wellness, started work here Monday with more than 10 years of experience in the field and a background in international health education, media and networking.
Threadcraft is excited about working with such a unique and diverse group of employees, and she believes her general perspective on wellness — “that it is not just about a number on a scale” — will resonate with them.
“Wellness is about a lifestyle and heading in a direction that balances emotional, mental and physical well-being. I think true wellness also means leaving room for dessert,” she said.
Threadcraft joins UAB just in time to champion employees competing in the Birmingham Corporate Challenge, a event that enables city businesses and institutions to celebrate healthy behaviors and compete against friends and neighbors against the backdrop of Railroad Park July 16.
UAB will showcase two squads: Team UAB led by John Jones, vice president for Student Affairs, and Team UAB Medicine steered by Jordan DeMoss, senior associate vice president for UAB Hospital.
A few events are still open for at-large registration the day of the event: jump rope, 5K run, 10K bike stroll and a one-mile fitness walk. Participants are eligible to receive My Health Rewards points.
| Threadcraft joins UAB just in time to champion employees competing in the Birmingham Corporate Challenge, a event that celebrates healthy behaviors, in Railroad Park July 16. |
“I can’t think of a better way to wrap up my first week as director of Employee Wellness,” Threadcraft said. “It’s a tremendous statement for UAB to be a part of this event. It communicates that we’re committed to providing excellent health care and education to our patients and students, and that we also want our employees to feel supported in the workplace and to be their healthiest while having a little fun in the process.”
Prior to coming to UAB, Threadcraft was the corporate wellness specialist with Regions Bank in Birmingham, where she worked to encourage more than 24,000 associates to take steps toward healthy living. She developed programs related to diabetes education, heart health, women’s self-defense, tobacco-cessation, colorectal cancer treatment/prevention and organized an onsite farm stand. A licensed dietitian, Threadcraft also provided one-on-one nutrition counseling for Regions employees.
