ATHENS, Ohio — The Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine is breaking new ground by becoming one of the first medical education facilities in the nation to receive WELL Certification at the Silver level. This prestigious award recognizes their state-of-the-art training facility, Heritage Hall, for its commitment to promoting the health and well-being of students, faculty, and staff.
“By designing with the WELL Building Standard, the Heritage College has imbued our wellness philosophy into our learning, teaching and working environment. It gives me great pride to know that we are ‘walking the walk’ of wellbeing through a facility that fosters the very type of healthy lifestyle that osteopathic medicine promotes,” said Ken Johnson, D.O., executive dean of the Heritage College and chief medical affairs officer for Ohio University. “I would like to personally thank all who contributed to our design and construction efforts. Because of your dedication, Heritage Hall is a wonderful testament to the values of the osteopathic medical profession.”
WELL provides a roadmap for creating spaces that optimize human health and well-being. Earning WELL Certification involves implementing specific strategies across numerous categories, including air quality, lighting, access to healthy food, fitness facilities, and opportunities for movement and mindfulness.
“Congratulations to Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine for achieving WELL Certification, setting a bar for leadership in higher education and medicine,” said Rachel Hodgdon, IWBI president and CEO. “Woven into its everyday mission, Ohio University continues to demonstrate a strong dedication to health and well-being, embracing WELL and marking its commitment to people-first places.”
Heritage Hall boasts a wide range of features that align with the WELL Standard, such as:
- A café offering healthy food choices
- A dedicated fitness center
- Quiet spaces for studying and meditation
- Collaborative workspaces
- Bike racks and ample natural light
- Filtered water at every faucet
- Design elements encouraging movement,like prominent staircases and an indoor walking track
Achieving WELL Certification was a deliberate effort that began with the building’s initial vision and permeated its entire construction process. The result is a facility that harmonizes with the college’s curriculum, embodies holistic health principles, and fosters connection and physical activity.
The construction of Heritage Hall was made possible by a major gift from the Osteopathic Heritage Foundations. The OHF’s historic $105 million award to the college in 2011 included $21 million for the building’s construction.