COLLEGE
UPDATE
PHSC has offered an employee Health and Wellness Program since spring 2007 . Then President Katherine Johnson , Ed . D ., established a college-wide START Walking program , an American Heart Association initiative . Each year , teams are formed and prizes are awarded to those recording the most miles walked .
When STARTWalking was implemented , the College had three campuses and Florida College System Risk Management Consortium ( FCSRMC ) provided a $ 600 budget for the Health and Wellness Program . A Lunch-n-Learn program was offered where speakers from local hospitals and the community presented on a variety of health topics . The FCSRMC awarded PHCC a Star Wellness Program ribbon at one of the College ’ s HR meetings .
The College also became involved with the Tobacco Cessation program and co-sponsored classes on campus . Several employees and their spouses participated and were able to stop smoking . Some employees are smoke free more than 10 years .
PHSC ’ s District Board of Trustees elected board leaders at a meeting held on Monday , February 28 at the college ’ s Spring Hill Campus . In a unanimous decision , Trustees John Mitten and Lee Maggard were elected to respectively serve as chair and vice chair of the board . The terms for both leadership positions will extend through the College ’ s 50th Anniversary Celebration , to begin July 1 , 2022 , and conclude on June 30 , 2023 .
Mitten , of Brooksville , former Hernando County Commissioner , owns and operates Hernando County ’ s only Chick-Fil-A franchise . He serves on the gubernatorially-appointed Southwest Florida Management District Board and is actively involved in service and community organizations , including the Greater Hernando Chamber of Commerce , Jericho Road Ministries , Hope Children ’ s Home , MissioSERVE Alliance and the Restoration Center of Florida . Mitten , a PHSC trustee appointed in 2018 , succeeds previous board chair , Rao Musunuru , M . D ., whose resignation from the board was effective February 22 .
22 PHSC
Health and Wellness : Employees Getting Active
Trustee Transitions
PHSC offers spring and fall Walking Challenges for employees . The College ’ s first walking challenge trophy was a sneaker painted with 10 coats of white and then 10 coats of gold . An East Campus welding instructor designed a base that was bolted to the golden sneaker — defining it as the Golden Sneaker Trophy , sparking a friendly , spirited competition among campuses to win this coveted award .
Walking Challenges have had up to 170 participants among the campuses . Individuals set a weekly mileage goal for four weeks and report progress to their campus wellness coordinator . Total mileage goals collegewide range from 7800 miles to almost 10,000 miles . The campus that wins the Walking Challenge has their name added to the Golden Sneaker award , receives miniature trophies , and celebrates at a luncheon . The fall 2021 Walking Challenge was won by the Spring Hill Campus .
Maggard , Vice President , Credit Officer for BankFlorida in Dade City , has been employed in the banking industry for 12 years . A lifelong resident of East Pasco County and a PHSC alumnus , he has served on the board since 2018 .
“ John Mitten and Lee Maggard are experienced , dedicated board members and exemplary community representatives ,” said PHSC President Timothy L . Beard , Ph . D . “ Both trustees are passionate about higher education and their leadership will guide the college through our 50th Anniversary Year .”
“ We also appreciate the many years of dedicated service provided by previous chair , Rao Musunuru , M . D .,” continued Beard , “ Dr . Musunuru is counted among the longest-serving trustees in the Florida College System and has supported countless PHSC initiatives and student scholarships .”