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Meet the Health Promotion Team

Health Promotion Team

Cathy Jager

Manager, Nursing and Education

Taryn Aarssen (She/Her)

Wellness Education Coordinator

To me, wellness, is a state of practicing the things that will contribute to a personal state of health and inner peace. It is dependent on other aspects of our life such as access to resources, relationships, identity and the environment we live in.

Interests: I enjoy biking around Hamilton to explore the many trails and parks.

Madison Behr (She/Her)

Health Promoter

For me, wellness speaks to the mental, physical, social, and spiritual needs of a person. In order to be well, we need to meet our needs within these categories- and this will differ from person-to-person!

Interests: Artwork, playing soccer and basketball, and going on family walks.

Jin Hyuk Byun (He/Him)

Health Promoter

In my opinion, wellness means balancing the various aspects of health (physical, mental, spiritual, emotional) to live in a state where we are feeling and functioning the best we can. It involves listening to your given needs and engaging in actions that allow you to flourish, such as finding a form of sustainable and enjoyable exercise, deliberately scheduling “free time” to decompress, or strengthening your support network by socializing with friends and family.

Interests: Playing sports, exploring new restaurants, travelling, and spending time with friends.

Madeline Parr (She/Her)

Communications Coordinator

For me, wellness is a daily commitment to nurturing physical, mental, and emotional well-being through simple yet impactful practices. It’s about embracing self-awareness and self-love, recognizing our needs and treating ourselves with kindness and compassion.

Interests: I enjoy cycling, golfing, skiing, reading, watching sports, and doing my nails.

Student Staff

Amelie Hamlyn-Lovis Herrera (She/Her)

Program Support Assistant

Honours Human Behaviour and Applied Psychology

To me, wellness is holistic—a seamless connection between the body, mind, spirit, and emotions. It’s more than the absence of illness; it’s the ongoing pursuit of growth, self-care, and fulfillment. Balance is vital to wellness as it is the foundation that ensures harmony across all pillars of health. Yet, your approach to wellness is not universal; it is deeply personal, evolving with your unique needs, experiences, and aspirations. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach; we are active agents in life with individual differences.

Interests: Going to the gym, artwork (digital and visual), going on outdoor adventures, spending time with friends

Jayneigh Hesler (She/Her)

Program Support Assistant (Community Garden)

Health Sciences

To me, wellness is all about tuning into yourself. How can you interpret what your body is telling you and translate it into lifestyle changes that bring you more balance?

Interests: Rock climbing, gardening, snowboarding, salamander hunting and making coffee!!

Sambiro Kitawi (She/Her)

Program Support Assistant

Honours Life Science

Wellness, to me, means finding balance in all areas of my life—mind, body, and spirit. It’s about doing things that bring me peace, like journaling once a week to reflect, or working out to boost my mood and confidence. I’ve also been reconnecting with my faith, which gives me a deeper sense of purpose. Spending time with friends, family, and building community especially around my Kenyan heritage is important too. Most of all, I’m learning to give myself grace as I grow. Wellness is a journey, not a destination.

Interests: Working out, Cooking, baking, and going to jazz clubs.

Michael Sampaio (He/Him)

Communications Assistant

Honours Kinesiology

To me, wellness means integrating habits into my daily routine that support both my physical and mental health. It also means allowing time for enjoyable but less healthy activities like watching TV or playing video games, and understanding that being too hard on yourself for missing these habits is counterproductive.

Interests: I enjoy walking my dog, reading, biking, and thrifting. My top hobby is exercising, which has taught me discipline and commitment.

Aaliah Bint Sadoon (She/Her)

MPH Practicum Student

To me, wellness can be broken down into a couple of categories, which are mental, physical, and spiritual. Mental wellness means taking the steps needed to manage stress effectively. Physical wellness is about feeling energetic and taking the time to rest/sleep. Spiritual wellness is about feeling connected to Allah through prayer and reflection. I truly believe that wellness cannot be achieved overnight; rather, it is a gradual process, and it’s okay to ask for help along the way.

Interests: I love to dance, sing, spend time with family and friends, and watch TV shows.