As 2025 quickly approaches, Coco Kneisly, buckeye wellness innovator (BWI) and Department of Public Safety administrative services manager, is looking forward to connecting with others through wellness in the new year and promoting various Ohio State wellness benefits and activities.
Coco first became a wellness innovator several years ago to help optimize her own health and learn more about the university’s wellness offerings. Throughout her experience, she’s been able to tap into personal wellness interests, network with others across the university and develop an appreciation for the different ways people experience wellness. She has also enjoyed the opportunities to make a positive impact on other’s wellbeing and highlight different resources, like the Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA).
“I’m a huge fan of the LSA,” said Coco. “As we approach the quarterly deadline for making purchases and submitting reimbursements, I ask colleagues if they are aware of the benefit. This often opens the door to conversations about other resources they may find useful, like personal health coaching or the health reimbursement account. Once I’ve established a “wellness” connection, those same staff members will continue to reach out if they have questions or need help with a benefit.”
Coco also encourages others to learn more about the ten dimensions of wellness.
“I think many people view wellness as just exercise or nutrition,” said Coco. “While those areas of focus are important, wellness encompasses much more, and the university has ways to support all of those dimensions. “
Sergeant Richard Welsh, a Buckeye Wellness Innovator and Department of Public Safety Wexner Medical Center lead security officer, is no stranger to wellness. Welsh is currently finishing a bachelor’s degree in health and rehabilitation science at Ohio State and previously worked as a personal trainer with a nutrition certification. Being a wellness innovator has allowed him to share his passion for health and wellness with his team.
“[Being a wellness innovator] is something I saw as a great opportunity for me and the rest of my department,” said Welsh. “It allows us to take advantage of resources that are provided to everyone who works for the university.”
Receiving input from his team on wellness-related topics and using wellness resources to help colleagues make healthy, positive changes is one of the benefits of being an innovator that Welsh enjoys the most.
“Every department is different, and it is important to take some time to get ideas or feedback from as many people as you can when planning activities and events,” said Welsh. “It's not about me, it's about how I can help my team improve their overall health.”
The Wexner Medical Center security team includes time on meeting agendas to discuss wellness for staff who are interested. Topics are tailored to team interests and notes are shared with staff after the discussion for anyone unable to join.
“The resources are there, but no one knows what YOU might want or need. As wellness innovators, we can help point you in the right direction to appropriate contacts or benefits that may suit your needs.”
Learn more about wellness in the Office of Administration and Planning.