Employee Wellness Leave Program | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

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Wellness Leave

The Wellness Leave program offers eight (8) hours of additional leave time per fiscal year to eligible employees who complete wellness requirements!  

To be awarded Wellness Leave Hours, employees must:

    1. Receive a physical examination from a health care provider,
    2. Complete the Health Risk Assessment through BlueCross BlueShield of Texas, and
    3. Participate in two eligible wellness events ↓.  

After completing these steps, the employee will be awarded eight (8) hours of Wellness Leave by submitting the Wellness Leave Certification Form and required documentation to HSCWellness@ttuhsc.edu or their campus Human Resources Office.  

Wellness Leave Hours will be awarded to the employee using the Wellness Get Fit (WEF) leave category. WEF hours will be available for use on the first of the month following submission of all required documentation.  

WEF hour awards are limited to 8 hours per fiscal year. Eligible employees will have the option to submit requests for either the Wellness Leave Program which offers 8 hours of WEF leave or the which offers 4 hours of WEF leave. WEF time off must be scheduled in advance and approved by the employee’s supervisor.

Please note: Awarded WEF hours must be used within the fiscal year and will expire on August 31st. WEF hours are not paid out upon separation of employment.

Wellness Events

The following webinars and activities are approved as eligible wellness events for ÍâÍøÌìÌÃ’s Wellness Leave program. A certificate of attendance is required to be submitted along with the Wellness Leave Certification form for the event to be counted for leave awards.   

August 2025 - Mental Health & Your Money


Thursday, August 14, 10–11 a.m. 
Money is one of the biggest stressors we face—and it’s no coincidence. Financial educator and former police officer Nick Daughtry unpacks how marketing shapes our money mindset, how our beliefs about money affect mental health and how to reclaim control. Discover how social media and advertising influence our spending—and how to break the cycle.


Thursday, August 28, 10–11 a.m. 
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive. Nutritionist and fitness educator Holly Cuozzo shows how to prioritize nutritious foods without overspending. You’ll learn tips to meal plan, grocery shop, and make lasting changes to help your health and budget. Perfect for anyone trying to shop smart and feel better—physically and financially. 

Stress Less Challenge

The challenge runs from July 23 through August 19
 Build a healthy habit of taking time to relax, unplug, and reset. All it takes is five minutes a day. Track your time spent relaxing or unplugging for a chance to win a Buena Vida-branded sleep mask. If you have already registered, make sure to log into  to track your progress!

How it works:
  • Register your and sign up through their portal.
  • Goal: 5 minutes a day, focus on you. Track your time spent relaxing or unplugging.
  • Earn awesome rewards like branded gear and fitness accessories from Buena Vida for participating.
  • The email of completion will be sent by Buena Vida, which can be submitted to support the ÍâÍøÌìÌà Wellness Leave Program requirements.

July 2025 - Mental Health Focus


Thursday, July 10, 10–11 a.m. 
Learn how to shift your mindset around stress to better understand your body’s response and take away practical tools to help you bounce back–not break down.

June 2025 - Nutrition and Hydration


Thursday, June 12, 10–11 a.m. 
 It’s time to make peace with your plate. Discover how to rebuild a healthy relationship with food, tune in to your body’s natural signals and ditch the guilt. 

Rethink Your Drink Challenge

The challenge begins June 11 and runs through July 8
Let’s beat the Texas heat together! This fun and simple challenge helps you drink more water by tracking your daily intake. Small changes have a big impact, one glass at a time. Log intake on 21 total days and hit the mark for 14 of them to be entered into a prize drawing with Buena Vida.

How it works:
  • Use your to track your daily activity and water intake.
  • Goal: Replace sugary drinks with water.
  • Log six 8-oz glasses of water on 14 of 28 days, and log activity on 21 total days.
  • Earn awesome rewards like branded gear and fitness accessories from Buena Vida for participating.
  • The email of completion will be sent by Buena Vida, which can be submitted to support the ÍâÍøÌìÌà Wellness Leave Program requirements.

May 2025 - Nutrition and Women's Health

Well Woman Webinar Series

In honor of Women’s Health Month, join expert-led sessions designed to support women’s health. Session are open to everyone:


Thursday, May 8, 10–11 a.m. 


Thursday, May 15, 10–11 a.m. 


Thursday, May 22, 10–11 a.m. 

Five to Thrive - Track Your Nutrition & Earn Rewards

April 14 through May 11
Fuel your body and build healthier habits with Five to Thrive, a 28-day nutrition challenge through Buena Vida, starting Mon., April 14! Track the fruits and veggies you eat for 21 of 28 days, and aim for five or more servings a day for at least 14 days to earn exclusive rewards! 

How it works:
  • Register your and sign up through their portal.
  • Using your Buena Vida account, track your intake of fruits and veggies for 21 of 28 days.
  • Eat 5+ servings a day for at least 14 days.
  • Earn awesome rewards like branded gear and fitness accessories from Buena Vida for participating.
  • Participants will receive a certificate of completion that may be submitted towards the ÍâÍøÌìÌà Wellness Leave Program requirements.

April 2025 - Focus on Nutrition


Thursday, April 10, 10–11 a.m. 
Discover how nutrition influences behavior, mindset, and long-term health in this insightful webinar with Dr. Tabbetha Lopez. Learn science-backed strategies for making sustainable changes and achieving your wellness goals. 

March 2025 - Fitter and Stronger


Thursday, March 13, 10–11 a.m. 
Join this inspiring session led by Trent Matthias, Executive Director of the National Fitness Campaign, to learn how free, world-class outdoor fitness courts are making movement more accessible in communities across the country and how where you live and your daily habits impact your health. 

February 2025 - Focus on Heart


Thursday, February 13, 10–11 a.m. 
Discover five essential lifestyle strategies for heart health, including tips for quitting tobacco, eating well, and managing blood pressure and cholesterol. 

January 2025 - New Year, New Habits


Thursday, January 16, 10–11 a.m. 
Ready to embrace healthy changes but unsure where to begin? Join Lacy Wolff for this inspiring webinar, where you’ll learn practical strategies for creating and sustaining habits that support your goals.

Get Fit Texas! Challenge


January 20 through March 30

December 2024 - Focus on Gratitude


Thursday, December 5, 10–10:45 a.m. 
Join Lacy Wolff as she explores how gratitude positively affects your brain and shares practical ways to integrate it into your daily life. 

November 2024 - Men's Health Month


Thursday, November 21, 10–11 a.m. 
In this session, Dr. Alex Lesko will discuss key heart health numbers every man should know, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart rate. He will also highlight valuable resources and programs available to help men manage and improve their cardiovascular health. Join for practical tips to protect your heart and stay informed about your health.

September 2024


Friday, September 6, 10–11 a.m. 
When discussing suicide, language matters. The HHSC Suicide Prevention Team will discuss clear and factual ways to talk about suicide.


Friday, September 13, 10–11 a.m. 
Learn how authentically engaging in reciprocity positively affects help-seeking and help-offering and prevents suicide. 


Friday, September 20, 10–11 a.m. 
Participants will explore suicide prevention through the eyes of a veteran with lived experience. Delving into the struggles service members face when transitioning to civilian life, this webinar offers strategies for fostering open dialogue and support to aid in their healing.

Special Opportunity - Presented by the ÍâÍøÌìÌà Employee Assistance Program


Tuesday, September 24, 10–11 a.m. 
The Managing Director of the Employee Assistance Program, Kristie Collins, presents this course. This webinar will provide you with information and helpful strategies to better manage the stresses we face in our daily lives. (In order to receive credit for this activity, you must attend the entire webinar. Attendance will be recorded and certificates will be issued for completion.) Register through .


Friday, September 27, 10–11 a.m. 
Lisa Morgan, co-chair of the Autism and Suicide Committee of the American Association of Suicidology, will share important ways to connect with people with autism spectrum disorder who may be considering suicide. 

August 2024 - Movement Mindset


Wednesday, August 14, 10–11 a.m. 
Financial educator Nick Daugherty helps you understand how the stock market works, the various types of retirement accounts, and how to find the right financial advisor. Join us whether you’re just starting out or are close to retirement.


Thursday, August 29, 10–11 a.m. 
After years of hard work and sound financial decisions, people can find themselves a target of fraudsters. Patricia Hord, from the Office of the Consumer Credit Commissioner, teaches how to recognize, report and reduce the risk of financial exploitation. 

July 2024 - Movement Mindset


Thursday, July 11, 10–11 a.m. 
Join Lacy Wolff and Jewell Smith to explore creative ways to manage expectations and turn barriers into motivation for daily movement.


Tuesday, July 16, 10–11 a.m. 
Join Lacy Wolff and Demetrius Bailey to learn the fundamentals and benefits of strength training, including essential exercises and tips for a sustainable routine. 

June 2024 - Health Benefits of Nature


Thursday, June 13, 10–11 a.m. 
Join Jesús Aguirre, Chair of the National Recreation & Parks Board (NRPA) and former CEO of the Waterloo Greenway, to learn how spending time in nature can positively impact your health and well-being.

Please note: ERS provides a certificate of completion by email for individuals attending the live webinars. Individuals may have the opportunity to view prior webinars but a certificate of attendance will not be provided for reviewing past recorded events.  

Questions?

We're here to help. Reach out to HSCWellness@ttuhsc.edu for more information about the Wellness Leave program.