Lowell Resident Recognized for Mentorship, Wellness Advocacy

Dr. Ranelle Brew (l) with Jodie Seese

Jodie Seese is a tireless advocate for a healthy Lowell. She facilitates a free smoking cessation program that is held annually and has been instrumental in helping run Wellness Camps at area elementary schools. She was previously the program director for the LoWellness Health Survey which released its results in 2016,

She also supervised and mentored a graduate assistant who developed the Wellness Camp curriculum. For that and her other work with the Wellness Camp, Seese received honors from two organizations this year.

2019 Outstanding Preceptor Award

Professionally, Seese works as an independent contractor who specializes in consulting on smoking cessation. However, her passion for promoting wellness goes beyond professional interest. She has been integral part of Lowell Community Wellness and has worked for five years with Grand Valley State University to bring innovative programs to the community.

“Grand Valley has been such a great stakeholder in these programs,” Seese says. “It’s been a great partnership.”

The feeling is evidently mutual as Dr. Ranelle Brew, chair of the GVSU Department of Public Health, nominated Seese for an Outstanding Preceptor Award from the Midwest Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research Center (MIPERC). Preceptors are those who oversee and guide a student learning experience outside the classroom.

“[Our] partnership with Jodie Seese has been invaluable over the years,” Brew says. “Her dedication to the community and programming aimed toward positive change in Lowell is truly inspirational.”

MIPERC agreed and awarded Seese an Outstanding Preceptor Award in the field of public health. The organization notes on the nomination form that outstanding preceptors are those who demonstrate extraordinary effort in their role and initiate collaborations that benefit the student experience.

Recognition from Michigan Public Health Association

Seese and Brew at the MPHA 2019 Public Health Summit

The MIPERC award isn’t the only honor Seese received this year. In the spring, she was recognized by the Michigan Public Health Association at their 2019 Public Health Summit. An award was given to Seese for her leadership and commitment to improving the physical and mental health of local youth through the Lowell Wellness Camp.

“It has been a pleasure working alongside her as we’ve implemented big ideas for Lowell impacting health,” Brew says. “The LoWellness survey and the Lowell Wellness Camp each made a tremendous impact on the community.”

It’s also notable that Staci O’Brien, who interned with Lowell Community Wellness and worked closely with Seese, was named the GVSU 2019 Outstanding Graduate Intern of the Year.

“What I’m most grateful for is that I live in a community where we have such innovative ideas,” Seese says. From donating excess Halloween candy to troops to offering nutrition classes at FROM, Lowell has shown its willingness to embrace wellness, and Seese is excited to be a part of promoting healthy habits.

All photos courtesy of Jodie Seese

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