Meet the Wellness Team
Wellness Program Coordinator
Julie Chobdee, MPH
(951) 827-1488
Julie Chobdee has over 13 years of experience in the Wellness/Health Promotion industry. For 11 years, she served as the Wellness Program Manager for Johnson & Johnson Global Health Services, where she developed and managed wellness programs, lead several health education projects, and worked on various operational teams. She began her career working at the LA Times Health Promotion Program, American Heart Association, and the LA County Wellness Council Worksite Wellness Project. Julie has a Bachelor's in Sciences from UCLA and a Master's in Public Health from UCLA. In addition, she taught a "Worksite Health Promotion" course at Cal State Fullerton, has a Professional Designation in HR Management from UCLA, and is a certified Fitness Instructor through ACE (American Council on Exercise). Julie LOVES to exercise, watch Reality TV, and eat fruit salad and frozen yogurt.
Campus Wellness Oversight Committee (CWOC):
Kristie Elton, MSPT, OCS
Environmental Health & Safety
(951) 827-6315
Kristie Elton is our Ergonomics Specialist on campus. Kristie received her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Physical Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Prior to UCR, Kristie worked in private practice Physical Therapy for more than 12 years, treating individuals with orthopedic injuries. She has always integrated wellness and injury prevention into her professional standards. Kristie incorporates her experience as a physical therapist with her enthusiasm for wellness in her Ergonomics Program. Kristie enjoys spending time with her family and encourages her children to stay active and be healthy.
Doug Everhart
Coordinator, Health Education Programs
(951) 827-2874
Doug arrived at UC Riverside in the Fall of 1998 as a Health Educator, with the primary purpose of building a health and peer education program to address the topics of substance abuse, sexual health and other social health topics. Using a successful population-based model, the Golden ARCHES Peer Health Education program has become a nationally acclaimed and award-winning program and has brought UCR a great deal of recognition in the health education field. Doug also has served the athletics department as their CHAMPS/Life Skills Coordinator, bringing his health and leadership education experience to the student-athletes, coaches and staff within the Highlander Athletics family. Doug serves on various campus committees: current chair of the Chancellor's Standing Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS, current of the CHAMPS/Life Skills Advisory Committee, active partner in the UCR Student Mental Health/Campus Climate Initiative, and member of the Campus Wellness Oversight Committee. He also was a recipient of the 2008 Outstanding Staff Award. He serves as the national Coordinator of Student-Athlete Affiliate Support for The BACCHUS Network, is a member of the NCAA's national CHAMPS/Life Skills Advisory Team, and as a member to the APPLE Conference Advisory Team. He has spent time over the last two years with colleagues across the country developing a new bystander/pro-social behavior training called "Step-Up: Be a Leader and Make a Difference!" which was released this fall. He is happily married (wife Wendy) and has two boys (David and Robby), residing in Redlands.
Lindy Fenex
Recreation Center Director
(951) 827-4461
(None at this time)
Nini Furst
Workers' Compensation
(951)827-4207
Nini represents Labor Relations & Workers' Compensation office to serve in the Campus Wellness Oversight committee (CWOC).
The office manages and processes claims arising out of work-incurred injuries and illnesses. Our office also assists staff and faculty with disabilities through an interactive process.
We strongly believe that encouraging employees to adopt more healthful lifestyles to increase overall health and wellness will reduce the risk of injuries and illnesses.
Hassan Ghamlouch
Director of Housing Operations
(951) 827-4850
Hassan Ghamlouch has gradually developed an interest in health and wellness. It all began when he and his wife were expecting their first son. He began buying organic milk and cheese. Then all organic baby food and natural cotton diapers. Eventually, when his father in law wanted to sell his orange grove in Riverside, Hassan and his wife become partners in The Grove and converted it to an organic farm.
His hospitality career began with Westin hotels & resorts followed by a move to UCLA. Taking care of the farm is now easier since his transfer to UCR two years ago. In his "spare" time Hassan plays basketball with his two sons, sells his organic produce at farmers' markets and loves to travel.
Ross Grayson, MPH, CIH
Environmental Health & Safety
(951) 827-6324
Ross Grayson is the Director of Environmental Health and Safety. He has a Master's of Public Health from the University of Minnesota, and is a Certified Industrial Hygienist, and Registered Environmental Health Specialist. He has been with UC over 25 years, having worked for UCSB EH&S for 15 years prior to coming to UCR. He specializes in integrating diverse programs and facilitating their effective implementation. EH&S is a broad, interdisciplinary program the focuses on preventing accidents, injuries, environmental harm, and promoting sustainability and wellness. Ross manages a skilled team of experienced professionals available to assist you in your campus needs.
Mary Johnson
Health Care Facilitator
(951) 827-1425Mary Johnson has more than 28 years of benefits experience at UCR. In her current role as Health Care Facilitator she provides counseling and assistance to employees, retirees and their family members in resolving problems and navigating through the health care maze of UC sponsored plans. She is the liaison between our health plans and the Office of the President.
Marilyn Parker
Program Administrative Assistant, HR
(951) 827-3195
Marilyn supports the Wellness and Work/Life programs from within Human Resources. She has more than 10 years of experience in administrative support; as well as experience in event planning and graphic design. She's new to hiking and looks forward to exploring the San Bernardino Mountains area.
Heidie Rhodes, BS
Human Resources Policy & Program Manager
(951) 827-2463
Heidie Rhodes, BS, Human Resources Policy & Program Manager, provides administration, analysis and implementation of University policies and procedures for Staff and has responsibility for the development of diverse comprehensive human resources programs; including work/life, wellness, employee relations, and performance management in support of the strategic objective to deliver progressive human resources programs, information, and services to build and sustain an engaged, diverse, and highly competent workforce. Heidie is a UCR graduate and has made wellness a priority in her work and her personal life by embracing the seven dimensions of wellness model!
Michelle Sansone
Fitness and Wellness Coordinator
(951)827-2286
Michelle Sansone graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of West Florida. She also received a Master of Science in Recreation and Leisure Services with a specialization in Recreation Management from Texas State University. At Texas State University, Michelle was the Graduate Assistant for Fitness & Wellness in the Student Recreation Center. She enjoys teaching various group exercise classes!
Todd Sorensen
Assistant Professor Department of Economics
University of California, Riverside
http://sproul4121a.ucr.edu
Research Affiliate, IZA http://www.iza.org/profile?key=3251
Todd Sorensen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics. He received his PhD from the University of Arizona in 2007. His primary area of interest is the study of migration issues. In his thesis, he models how a localized increase in enforcement along the U.S.-Mexico border will affect the crossing decisions made by migrants, finding that a significant proportion of migrants deterred from crossing in one sector will continue to cross into the U.S. through an alternative location. Todd also studies issues related to sentencing equity in the U.S. criminal justice system.
Ken H. Stewart, DrPH(c), MPH
Preventative Care Specialist
Campus Health Center
951-827-2741
Ken Stewart is an alumnus of Oakwood University, where he received his bachelor's degree in Biology, while combining his love for health and wellness with his passion for missionary service. Previous to coming to Oakwood University, Dr. Stewart had cultivated a love for the music created by marching bands, and was instrumental in incorporating this into national and international missionary trips. Dr. Stewart is currently completing a doctorate in preventive care at Loma Linda University's School of Public Health, examining the relationship between vegetarianism and Type II Diabetes.
Dr. Stewart currently works as a preventive care specialist for the Campus Health Center at UCR, providing health assessments, one on one weight management training, physical activity and nutrition courses.