August 2026 Briefs
30 Years of Community
Do you know when HERO officially formed? 1996 – 30 years ago! HERO lore paints the picture of a dimly lit conference room in a hotel basement, while others speak of a posh hotel suite at the Art & Science conference. The reality may have been both or somewhere in the middle. If you’re curious to hear Mark Dundon and David Anderson describe how the name and logo were birthed, check out this blog post.
In 1996, the healthcare landscape underwent a massive transformation with the passage of HIPAA and the Mental Health Parity Act. A new focus on global health surveillance was sparked by the landmark report from the World Health Organization warning of new and re-emerging infectious diseases. The first Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity was released, linking regular physical activity to major health benefits, catalyzing workplace wellness.
I took a walk down memory lane in the HERO archives recently. What I found was illuminating and encouraging: an organization that has grown, stretched, and evolved, producing critical research and insights along the way. In future Briefs, I will use this space to highlight many of the milestones and achievements we’ve accomplished together, and this month I choose to celebrate the HERO community.
The original Articles of Incorporation stated HERO’s purpose: “To engage in the organization and coordination of efforts to develop and conduct health promotion, disease prevention and productivity research.” For the first 10 years or so, the Form 990 described HERO’s program/service as “development of a database which identifies and cross-matches members with common health promotion and demand management research interests and objectives.”
I think it’s fair to say that we’ve exceeded the founders’ expectations! Through Think Tanks and committees, Summits and Forums, LinkedIn and this monthly newsletter, the HERO community has grown into a powerhouse of more than 31,000 individuals committed to a shared desire to positively impact the health and well-being of employees in the U.S. and globally.
The HERO community coordinates and collaborates often with the assistance of technology (e.g., email, Zoom, phone, social media apps), but in-person opportunities provide the human connection that cannot be fully AI-replicated. That’s why I hope you’ll join us in person for the HERO convenings in Florida on Nov. 8th (CMO Summit), Nov. 9th (Fall Think Tank), and Nov. 10th (Healthcare Summit), and we can celebrate 30 years together!
With gratitude to co-founders Bill Whitmer and Mark Dundon for acting on the vision that has created the HERO community!
Together,
Karen
Member Updates
HERO Events
HERO University Summit
Navigating Institutional Changes. Communicating the value of well-being to leaders.
Oct 20, 2026 | 12:00 – 4:00 PM ET
Virtual
With support from
HERO Chief Medical Officer Summit
Lifestyle Medicine as a Strategic Lever for Better Brain Health
Nov 8, 2026 | 12:00 – 4:00 PM ET
Orlando, FL
With support from
Fall Think Tank & Reception
Is Nature the Missing Ingredient in Your Workforce Well-Being Strategy?
Nov 9, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET
Winter Park, FL
With support from
HERO Healthcare Summit
From burnout to thriving: Rebuilding Systems to Enhance Belonging and Improve Mental Health Across Healthcare Teams
Nov 10, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM ET
Winter Park, FL
With support from:
Interested in sponsoring? Take a look at the 2026 Sponsor Prospectus.
HERO Scorecard
Taking the Employer Pulse on Employer Vaccination Strategy
HERO invites the broader HERO community (you!) to complete a brief survey on Organizational Vaccination Strategy. Your firsthand experience with employee health and well-being makes you an ideal voice on this topic, and your responses will help HERO develop insights that benefit employers nationwide.
The survey is designed to gather essential information regarding current workplace health vaccination initiatives and policies and to help strengthen our understanding of organizational vaccination strategies in the US. Participation will provide valuable insights into how various employers manage immunization access, onsite resources, and employee outreach. All responses are kept confidential, but your willingness to share your perspectives is greatly appreciated.
HERO offered an informational webinar on employer vaccination strategies in June.
Access the recording here.
Password: HERO2026$
HERO Members
The written proceedings by HERO Senior Fellow Jessica Grossmeier et al. from the Summer Think Tank on “Financial Well-Being at Work: Are we solving the right problems?” is now available.
Webinars
In September, we’re promoting two upcoming webinars featuring HERO Senior Fellow Jessica Grossmeier, hosted by the Global Wellness Institute. For anyone responsible for improving workforce health, organizational performance, and employee experience – health and wellbeing professionals, HR and people leaders, business executives and operational leaders, healthcare and benefits leaders.
- September 9, 10:00 AM EDT: Becoming An Employer of Choice: How Wellbeing Creates Business Value
- September 9, 5:00 PM EDT: From Perk to Strategy: A New Framework for Workplace Wellbeing
As always, you can access recordings from the past six months in the HERO Webinar Archives. HERO members have access to all HERO webinar recordings via the HERO Hub.
HERO RECOMMENDS
Resources and Readings
Recommended Resources
For the CMO Summit:
- Center for BrainHealth: New Nature Scientific Reports Study Challenges the Inevitability of Cognitive Decline and Proves Brain Gain is Possible at Any Age (May 7, 2026). A three-year longitudinal study of ~4,000 adults reveals that there’s no ceiling for brain health improvement through proactive engagement and self-agency.
- Cook, L.G., Spence, J.S., Chang, Z. et al. Measuring and increasing the brain health span across adulthood: a public health imperative. Sci Rep 16, 20415 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-51403-3
Bonnet JP, Lewin-Zwerdling A, Mauro S, Calhoun J, Stout R. Public Perception of Lifestyle Medicine and the Integration of Behavioral Health: A Nationally Representative Survey of U.S. Adults 18+. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. 2026;0(0). doi:10.1177/15598276261459085 . The authors found positive perception and desire to access integrated lifestyle medicine and behavioral health within primary care, but barriers exist.
Bonnet JP, Holterman NL, Jones M, et al. Full Plate Living Evaluation and Case Series. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. 2026;0(0). doi:10.1177/15598276261475279. The authors concluded that Full Plate Living is a sustainable, adaptable, and effective nutrition education program in helping members lose weight and improve overall cardiometabolic health.
Amel, E. L., Manning, C. M., & Ishaq, M. (2026). Organizations and climate action: Accelerating climate solutions through organizational change. American Psychological Association and ecoAmerica. Link to the report and resources detailing the key findings and practical role-specific guidance for driving climate action within and beyond organizations.
Gallup: AI’s Effect on Workplace Culture (August 16, 2026). Employees with AI-supportive managers are more likely to say workplace culture has improved.
HBR: Leaders Underestimate the Value of Employee Joy (March 24, 2026).
From the NIOSH Public Safety Sector Council:
Join us on September 1, 2026, for Respiratory Protection Day.
Respiratory protection is a part of workplace safety, helping safeguard workers from airborne hazards across our industry. Our organization is dedicated to promoting proper respiratory protection practices and ensuring every worker goes home safe and healthy.
Why Proper Use Matters:
Selecting the right respirator and using it correctly is essential for effective protection. Proper donning, doffing, fit testing, and maintenance are critical steps that help ensure your safety on the job. We encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with available resources and best practices for respiratory protection.
Our Commitment:
We are committed to providing science-based resources, training, and support to help you stay informed about respiratory hazards and the latest best practices. By working together, we can strengthen workplace safety and foster a culture where proper respiratory protection is valued and practiced every day.
Take Action:
- Explore our respiratory protection resources and educational materials.
- Participate in Respiratory Protection Day activities and share your experiences.
- Remind your colleagues about the importance of proper respirator use.
- Stay connected for updates and new resources.
Key NIOSH Resources:
- Watch for a New NIOSH Science Bulletin (coming September 1) with an in-depth look at how NIOSH supports workers through research, respirator approval, and respiratory protection resources.
- Verify respirator approval status with the NIOSH Certified Equipment List: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/niosh-cel/
- Get familiar with NIOSH’s PPE webpages:
- Respiratory Protection Resources
- Fit Testing
- Respirator Types and Use
- Respirator Selection and Use
- Identifying NIOSH Approved® Respirators
Learn More:
Visit our website for more information and resources on respiratory protection.
Suggested Hashtag: #RespiratoryProtectionDay
