history

The Center for Student Wellness (CSW) at Columbia University Medical Center was founded within the College of Physicians and Surgeons during the summer of 2002. The Center evolved out of a proposal by the P&S Student Wellness Committee to recruit and hire a Director for Student Wellness. That proposal, which included a summary of current available student resources at CUMC, as well as a thorough review of programs at other medical schools, proposed the following:

• The Creation of the Office and Director for Student Wellness
• Development of an Integrated Communication Strategy for Student Wellness
• Establishment of Stress Reduction and Academic Support Classes
• Institution of Regular Social Gatherings
• Development of Peer Counseling Resources and
• Expansion of Alumni Networking Opportunities.

The proposal was readily accepted by the CUMC Faculty and Administration, and the search for a founding Director began in the Spring of 2002. In July of that same year, the Center for Student Wellness opened its doors in Bard Hall, where it is still located today.

In 2004, the Center for Student Wellness entered into a partnership with the newly reorganized Student Health Service (SHS). Together, the CSW and SHS created the proactive and comprehensive outreach program Wellness Works!

Through Wellness Works!, outreach activities are coordinated to address student health and wellness concerns primarily in the areas of stress reduction, mental health, nutrition, fitness, sexual health, and substance use. Major Wellness Works! initiatives include a comprehensive workshop series, yoga classes, and stress reduction/health promotion mini-courses.

In addition to the creation of Wellness Works!, this historic partnership made all of the services and programs of the Center for Student Wellness available to all CUMC students (previously, the Center for Student Wellness operated solely through the College of Physicians and Surgeons.)

Today, the CSW staff advocate for student well-being in support of the learning mission of Columbia University at both the individual and institutional levels.