D’Youville University Adopts Okanagan Charter

BUFFALO, NEW YORK – As the first university in Western New York to be recognized as a Health Promoting University, D’Youville University has joined an elite group of just 22 institutions nationwide who have adopted the Okanagan Charter. The University will host a formal signing of the charter on February 27, 2024 at an annual wellness fair which takes place in the Health Professions HUB, showcasing both institutional and community partners who work daily to enhance the holistic wellness of students, faculty, and staff. 

“Our membership in the United States Health Promoting Campuses Network (USHPCN) further demonstrates our institution's commitment to a holistic view of health and well-being” said President Lorrie Clemo, PhD. “The transformational health sciences experience we offer expands beyond the classroom and into the personal lives of all our community members, promoting a better future for everyone.”

The Okanagan Charter is a call to action for post-secondary institutions to embed health and well-being into all aspects of campus culture, including policies, programs, and services. It recognizes that health is a fundamental driver of academic success, and that healthy and sustainable campuses are critical for the well-being of individuals, communities, and the planet. As part of D’Youville University’s commitment to the Okanagan Charter, community members will be working to enhance the culture that already exists supporting and promoting the physical, mental, social, and environmental well-being of our community members. This will include a range of activities and programs that focus on healthy eating, physical activity, mental health, and sustainability.

“D’Youville University is proud to join the global movement toward health and well-being” said Paige Schultze, D’Youville University Mental Health Counselor. “The charge of the Wellness Lodge is to recognize all the dimensions of wellness, incorporate these dimensions into the lives of our students, and to instill the mindset that wellness should be a daily routine.”

The Wellness Lodge at D’Youville University offers students access to mental health counselors, crisis service advocates, massages, yoga, meditation, and educational programming surrounding the various dimensions of wellness. Additionally, through a partnership with TimelyCare, students have 24/7 access to licensed mental health counselors and health coaches ensuring that personal care does not end after traditional business hours.

“Before someone is a student, they’re a person with needs. Which is why health and well-being is a driving factor behind how we serve our students,” continued Clemo.  “We do not consider the Okanagan Charter to be a capstone to these efforts but rather a step in our continued push to a healthier tomorrow.”

About D’Youville University

D’Youville University is a nationally ranked private university headquartered in Buffalo, New York, providing in-seat and online academic programs around the world. Founded in 1908, D’Youville University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees focused on healthcare, liberal arts, and business. D’Youville University’s small class sizes, experiential education, and interprofessional learning environments prepare students for success. For more information, visit dyu.edu.