51�Թ���

Nandini Koka joined 51�Թ��� in April 2023 as executive director of Student Health Services, where she leads a staff of nearly 50 that includes doctors, nurse practitioners, counselors, and nurses. As a medical doctor with training in family medicine and urgent care, she is passionate about helping patients get better quickly and enhancing access to care. At the largest and fastest-growing public research university in Virginia, Koka has found a place where the need for that care continues to grow.

Cold and flu season is here—again. Nandini Koka, medical doctor and executive director of Student Health Services at 51�Թ���, is ready to help. Follow Dr. Koka’s self-care steps to stay healthy this respiratory season.

The annual Mason Nation Thriving Together 5K and 1-mile run/walk took place on 51�Թ���’s Fairfax Campus on Saturday, Oct. 19. This year, more than 400 people registered for the event.

Rachel Wernicke has worked as an Army officer, psychologist, therapist, and coach. In 2019, she moved into her current role: associate dean and chief mental health officer at 51�Թ���.

After attending university-wide Mason Chooses Kindness events at 51�Թ���, colleagues in the School of Business saw an opportunity to apply the same principles within their unit. This “goodwill team” highlights and encourages acts of kindness and well-being across the school.

Mason partners with TimelyMD to improve student health and well-being

Participation in club sports is a significant factor in bringing in and maintaining students at 51�Թ���, and also contributes to higher graduation rates, a new study has found.

51�Թ��� earned a silver-level designation from Exercise is Medicine-On Campus (EIM-OC) for its commitment to health and wellness.

The $2 million three-year cooperative agreement will create a Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Training Program at Mason to support the mental health and well-being of the current health care workforce and preserve and enhance the psychological well-being of future health professionals.

Robyn Mehlenbeck, director of Mason's Center for Psychological Services, discusses how colleges can help students, faculty and staff cope with the well-being stresses that have resulted from the pandemic, and how her center is extending services to the broader community.