Yes, it’s true. After 7 wonderful years as Nutrition & Health Education Specialist with the Montana University System Wellness Program, I have decided to pursue another opportunity as Research Dietitian with The Food & Health Lab here at Montana State University.
This decision was not easy. I recently heard someone talking about how joy and sadness often coexist, and that is absolutely the case in this situation. I’m feeling joy for a new, exciting challenge, and an equal amount of sadness for leaving behind a job, coworkers, and MUS employees that I truly love.
But the emotion that has risen above all else is gratefulness. So I want to share my gratefulness for the following people that have made my time with MUS Wellness so invaluable:
The early adopters: Neal and I started our positions in the summer of 2012. It was a time of significant change for MUS Wellness. The individual campus Wellness programs that had existed for years were no longer, and a new centralized Wellness program with new staff had been put in place. Change is hard. We understood that. We heard from many of you who weren’t crazy about the new system. But as we got new programs and initiatives up and rolling, many of you also welcomed us with open arms. You participated in monthly challenges when they involved tracking with pen and paper. You listened to our early webinars when no one else in your office was doing so. You jumped on board and signed up for Limeade as soon as it was launched. I will forever be grateful for you— the MUS plan members who gave us a chance.
The sustainers: I’m also so grateful for those of you who continue to participate in our programs and believe in the value of what we are doing. You ask questions, you provide feedback, you pay attention. In a world of so many emails and distractions, I am thankful for those of you who make Wellness a priority. I’m tremendously proud of the Wellness program that we built over the past 7 years, but it couldn’t have been done without people who care.
MUS Wellness Champions: The employees who go above and beyond, who volunteer their time and effort to promote the Wellness program for no other tangible benefit than a bi-monthly newsletter and an occasional swag item. You make a difference and you make your workplace a healthier, happier place. I’m thankful for everything you do to make the Wellness program a success.
Campus Benefits Representatives (CBRs): The unsung Human Resource heroes of our MUS campuses. So many of you went above and beyond your job duties to make Neal and I feel welcome on your campus.
The MUS Benefits team, especially Director of Benefits, Mary Lachenbruch. Many times, when faced with difficult decisions, Mary’s answer was always, “We’re doing this because it’s the right thing to do for our plan members”. Mary genuinely wants what is best for every plan member in the University System and is deliberate and thoughtful in her decision making. The same can be said of the entire benefits team. You may not see or recognize them, but know that you have a very dedicated team of people working hard to keep medical, vision, dental, and retirement benefits as robust, affordable, and accessible as possible for MUS plan members. On a more personal level, Mary has always been a huge supporter of family, work/life balance, and whole-being wellness, and I am so fortunate to have had her as my supervisor.
Last but certainly not least, my teammates, Neal Andrews and Kelsey Hartzheim: I don’t have adequate words for these two; they are my work family.
Neal – Thank you for your unyielding, and at times undeserved, support and encouragement over the last 7 years. You always saw the best in me. Thank you for being the creative genius and editor behind all of our Wellness materials. Without you, our videos, podcasts, and webinars would be so boring. I often tasked you with “bringing the jokes” and you never failed to deliver. Your passion for this work is inspiring. I always enjoyed seeing you light up when taking the stage for any presentation, when helping someone find a way back to physical activity after injury or years off, or when planning Wellness activities for the future. I can’t wait to see what you will continue to bring to MUS Wellness. Thank you also for enjoying snacks as much as I do.
Kelsey – Thank you for your patience, kindness, and support in my time with Wellness. I will never forget listening to your end of a 20+ minute telephone conversation that, in my view, seemed to just be going around in circles. When everyone else in the world would have lost patience, you persisted; you were determined to help this person and make sure they were a satisfied customer. You extended this patience to me in every situation and I am grateful. I hope you realize what an incredible asset you are to MUS Wellness. Even 7 years in, I always found myself telling people to ask you if they wanted to be sure they got the correct answer!
For all of the other people that made this job so wonderful – a smiling face and hug at WellCheck, a jar of homemade spaghetti sauce delivered to my hotel in Missoula, a handwritten note of congratulations when I had my son – thank you. I will be keeping my same email address, and I would love to continue to hear from all of you. Drop me a note. Share a recipe with me. Tell me a Wellness success you’ve experienced.
With deepest gratitude and until next time, Happy Eating!
Cristin Stokes
Montana Moves 
Sad to see you leave this position, but excited for you in your new adventure. Best of luck!!
Congratulations, Cristin! You have been a fabulous part of that great team as well! Wishing you great success in your new adventure & maybe I will see you around campus more.
Best, Bobbi Palagi
We will miss you! You leave big shoes to fill. Enjoy your new work adventure.
Kris
Your work has been appreciated. Although you’re still here at MSU, you will be missed.
Cristin, Again, as so often in the past, Well Done! Best wishes in your next new endeavor. dan
Cristin,
I only met you once (that I remember) – when you came to MSUB with Monica. Thanks for bringing so many great nutritional programs and opportunities to us. All the best in your new position.
Judy
Judy A. Williams, JD, CWLS
ASMSU Billings Student Legal Services
SUB 213
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Billings, MT 59101
(406) 657-2365
jwilliams@msubillings.edu
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Cristin,
even though I’m retired now, I want to thank you for all the wonderful healthy cooking classes and great tasty recipes you had at all your campus seminars! Having Neal as comic relief was very refreshing and made the seminars fun! You two made a great pair during the webinars too!
Having Neal use you as a demonstrator At his fitness classes was a lot of fun too!
Thank you for caring so much for the health of all of us!
Good luck on your new endeavors!
Brent
Hi Cristin,
I haven’t worked at UM for 2 years, but I just wanted to tell you how much your advice, classes and overall attitude really helped me for the 5 years that your time overlapped with mine. I was one who was initially skeptical when they changed our wellness program. But it turned out to be a vast improvement from the well checks to the addition of you and Neal. I loved the challenges and all you guys do/did.
Take care and good luck in your new position. I know the Wellness Program will definitely miss your warmth and genuine care for everyone.
Wanda LaCroix
Hello, Cristin,
Thank you for the beautiful farewell message. I have enjoyed knowing you and I have appreciated your expertise as a registered nutritionist. Your videos and workshops are informative, engaging and fun–they have added value to my meal planning.
I wish you well in your new position as MUS’s Research Dietitian with The Food & Health Lab!
Kind Regards and Montana Cheers,
Denise Grabowski, Flathead Valley Community College
Thanks Cristin and good luck on your new endeavors!
Cristin,
Thank you for all the great work all these years for all of us participating in this program. I know I have really enjoyed everything this Wellness program has had to offer. Best of luck on this new journey!
Best, Audrey
Good luck in your new position! You were an essential part of this program. I truly believe you had a positive impact in many lives, including mine.
It’s been great to know you. I will always be sad that you aren’t on the other end of my Wellness emails!
You will be missed, but wish you well in your new adventure.
We will miss you, but hopefully will still see you around Bozeman and on the campus. Thanks for everything.
Lisa
Hi Cristin
We will miss you. You have done a lot of great things for wellness. I wish you well in your new adventure. If you make it to Butte stop in and say hello!
Good morning Cristin-
Thank you for all of your knowledge of proper food, how to prep and cook them. You will be greatly missed.
Jennifer Robinson
I’ll miss you! I always picture you on the other end of my emails, so I saw your face a lot more often than you know! Best wishes. Trudy
As was said by Wanda above, “your warmth and genuine care for everyone” is so true. To see that quality in someone, these days, is so rare; but I see this in you as well. It inspires others, it inspires hope, and it creates a desire in others to do better, to be better, and to think better. Basically and bluntly, it’s called being a role model! You rock, Cristin! Here’s hoping you’ll discover many wonderful things in research; keep us posted!
Cristin,
Thank you for all you have done for this program! I have enjoyed watching you and Neil in the videos, especially the bloopers at the end! The webinars have also been great topics that I think people are genuinely interested in! I know that you will be missed by many!
I hope only the best for you in your new adventure!
Mariah Kinyon
I appreciate all of the hard work that you and your team have done for us. Thank you for the webinars.It was super easy to log in and participate in these event. Good luck on your new adventure.
Thank you Cristin for all your work with the Wellness program!
Cristin, we will miss you. I’ve so appreciated all of your wonderful workshops, the information, recipes, and your friendliness and positive attitude. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been talking to someone about nutrition and uttered the phrase “Well, Cristin says…” I’d be a wealthy woman. 🙂 Thank you for all your wonderful work with our wellness program and best of luck in your new position!
Cristin: I would echo the messages above as they all are applicable. But on a personal note, thank you for giving MUS 7 precious years of your life and whomever you are off to work with/for they are a lucky department. You bring with you a well balanced attitude (at least that is what you shared with “us”) and way to see the world. Good luck on this next chapter.
Adair Kanter
Curry Health Center
Thanks so much for all that you have done for the MUS community, through the wellness program. Personally, your work has made a difference to me. Congrats on the new position. I look forward to seeing the difference you will undoubtedly make through the Food Lab.
Heather Martelle
Repository (ScholarWorks) Manager
MSU Library
Thank you for all your hard work and making us all to think healthy! Congrats
Sad to hear you are leaving, but so happy for you and your new endeavor. Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy the wellness program and it is due to you guys. You all do a great job and I know you will be missed by many. Thanks for everything and good luck with your new chapter.
Jen Henderson, MSU-Northern
Good Luck, Cristin! Continue to learn and grow and Thank You for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us.
Tressa L Schutter, Flathead Valley Community College
Best of luck Cristin! Thank you for all that you have done!
Cristin,
Thank you, thank you – best wished in your new position. You’ll be missed!
Shawn Whitworth
University of Montana
“wishes”
Cristin, I have enjoyed the recipes that you have shared with us. The video’s and meeting with Neal have be informative. I’m sure that we all agree to the fact that you will be missed, but wish you the best in your new adventure with success.
Cristin: I will miss knowing that you are on the other end of our Wellness emails. Best wishes with your new job! Trudy Carey
Vert nicely written and heartfelt!
Thank you for sharing your skills and enjoy your next adventure.
Thank you and good luck!
Best wishes for continued success in all that you do!
Thank you for all your hard work.
We will miss having a wonderful Coach like you! Good luck in your future endeavors, wishing you all the best!
Thank you for all the help and good luck with the new chapter!
Thank you, Cristin! Best wishes in your new position!
Shawn Whitworth
Uof M
Wish you all the best in this next chapter of your professional journey! Thanks for all your insight and guidance!
Best wishes and thanks for all the great info you have provided us over the years. I will miss your videos
Cristin, You’ve contributed so much to the Wellness program. Thank you for inspiring us. Good luck with you new adventure! Ann
You are missed. Thanks for all you have done for us and for this program! See you around campus!
Best wishes!
Good luck, Cristin!
Good luck and best wishes