Health Is the Key

For Integrative Registered Dietitian Janet Lau, mindful eating is a way of life. Focusing on the what, when, how and why of eating helped Janet overcome years of unhealthy food choices and improve her overall quality of life. In this episode, Janet explains the basics of mindful eating, shares her own journey and offers some simple tips on how to enjoy all the health benefits that mindful eating can bring to your healthy living journey.
The Takeaway
We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback.
Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician.
Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
Get to know your numbers at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.
Janet Lau is a Registered Dietitian (RD) in private practice. Her journey to health and well-being started with an unhealthy relationship with food, which led to years of discomfort. She knew the first step to improving her health was understanding the root of the problem, so she enrolled in Hunter College’s Nutrition and Food Science program, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree. Janet worked in treatment-based institutions after completing her internship and passing her RD exam. Several years later, she discovered the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where she became certified as a Holistic Health Practitioner. Janet continued to incorporate additional certifications with a gut-health focus.
As an Integrative Registered Dietitian, Certified LEAP Therapist and Holistic Coach, Janet remains passionate about providing compassionate support and guidance in her practice, Nutrition Custom Care. She provides a safe space for patients to share their stories and health struggles, understanding that a work-together approach is paramount to establishing rapport. As a result, she has helped patients adopt transformative food behaviors that meet their health objectives and improve their relationship with food. Janet’s diverse skill set and proven results-driven strategies are now available through her online courses for independent learners. Additionally, she holds monthly small-group onsite sessions and consults virtually one-on-one for a more connected approach. For more information, visit nutritioncustomcare.com.

In our March episode, we marked Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month with Dr. Renee Williams, a Gastroenterologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at NYU Langone. Dr. Williams talked about the importance of preventive screening for colorectal cancer and walked us through the colonoscopy procedure. In this month’s Key Note, she explains what happens if polyps are found during a colonoscopy, what they are and how they’re treated.
The Takeaway
We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback.
Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
If you’re 45 or older (or have risk factors), make an appointment with your primary care physician to talk about which screening is best for you.
Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.
Guest BioRenee Williams, MD, MHPE, is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Within the Department of Medicine, she is the Associate Chair for Health Equity and the Director of the Saul Farber Program in Health Equity. Institutionally, she is Graduate Medical Education Pillar Lead for NYU Langone’s Institute for Excellence in Health Equity. Her interests include health disparities in colorectal cancer screening and medical education with a focus on simulation education. She is a member of the Association of American Medical Colleges’ MedEdSCHOLAR Steering Committee, Co-Chair of the New York Citywide Colorectal Cancer Coalition (C5) Risk assessment and Screening Committee, and section editor for the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy’s GESAP (Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Self-assessment Program). She also served on the Board of Trustees for the American College of Gastroenterology from 2018 to 2024.

Let’s face it, no one says, “I can’t wait to have a colonoscopy!” But with advances in the procedure and easier prep solutions – as well as less-invasive options – there really is no reason to wait to schedule this screening. To mark Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we are joined by Dr. Renee Williams, a Gastroenterologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at NYU Langone, who wants everyone to know that colon cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable! Dr. Williams explains risk factors, symptoms and the importance of prevention. She also walks us through the procedure and even shares her own, very candid experience about her first screening.
 
The Takeaway
We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback.
Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
If you’re 45 or older (or have risk factors), make an appointment with your primary care physician to talk about which screening is best for you.
Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.
Guest BioRenee Williams, MD, MHPE, is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Within the Department of Medicine, she is the Associate Chair for Health Equity and the Director of the Saul Farber Program in Health Equity. Institutionally, she is Graduate Medical Education Pillar Lead for NYU Langone’s Institute for Excellence in Health Equity. Her interests include health disparities in colorectal cancer screening and medical education with a focus on simulation education. She is a member of the Association of American Medical Colleges’ MedEdSCHOLAR Steering Committee, Co-Chair of the New York Citywide Colorectal Cancer Coalition (C5) Risk assessment and Screening Committee, and section editor for the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy’s GESAP (Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Self-assessment Program). She also served on the Board of Trustees for the American College of Gastroenterology from 2018 to 2024.

In our February episode, we marked American Heart Month with Dr. Shivani Verma, an interventional cardiologist at Maimonides Medical Center. In this month’s Key Note, Dr. Verma explains “broken heart syndrome,” a rare condition that can affect the heart muscle after an emotional shock or a sudden stressor. The good news: most people make a complete recovery.
The Takeaway
We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback.
Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
Find out where you stand heart-wise by making an appointment with your primary care physician.
Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
Get to know your numbers at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.
Guest BioDr. Shivani Verma is an Interventional Cardiologist at Maimonides Medical Center. With specialized fellowships in Interventional Cardiology and Cardio-Oncology, she brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the field of cardiovascular care. She completed the majority of her training (Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Interventional Cardiology) at Maimonides, where she gained a deep understanding of the intricacies of diagnosing and treating various cardiac conditions. Her subsequent fellowships highlight her ability to perform complex procedures such as angioplasties and stent placements to restore blood flow to the heart and prevent heart attacks. She also completed a fellowship in cardio-oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where she learned to manage the unique cardiovascular risks that cancer patients face during treatment. Dr. Verma has developed a comprehensive approach to cardiovascular care focused on providing personalized, evidence-based treatment plans that take into account each patient’s unique medical history, lifestyle and goals. She prides herself on optimizing the patient-physician relationship to best serve her patients. Additionally, Dr. Verma serves as the Associate Program Director of the Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program at Maimonides Medical Center. 

In our February episode, we mark American Heart Month with Dr. Shivani Verma, an interventional cardiologist at Maimonides Medical Center. In our conversation, Dr. Verma shares information on what heart health looks like, symptoms to watch for and how early prevention can help ensure better health outcomes.
The Takeaway
We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback.
Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
Find out where you stand heart-wise by making an appointment with your primary care physician.
Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
Get to know your numbers at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.
Guest BioDr. Shivani Verma is an Interventional Cardiologist at Maimonides Medical Center. With specialized fellowships in Interventional Cardiology and Cardio-Oncology, she brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the field of cardiovascular care. She completed the majority of her training (Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Interventional Cardiology) at Maimonides, where she gained a deep understanding of the intricacies of diagnosing and treating various cardiac conditions. Her subsequent fellowships highlight her ability to perform complex procedures such as angioplasties and stent placements to restore blood flow to the heart and prevent heart attacks. She also completed a fellowship in cardio-oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where she learned to manage the unique cardiovascular risks that cancer patients face during treatment. Dr. Verma has developed a comprehensive approach to cardiovascular care focused on providing personalized, evidence-based treatment plans that take into account each patient’s unique medical history, lifestyle and goals. She prides herself on optimizing the patient-physician relationship to best serve her patients. Additionally, Dr. Verma serves as the Associate Program Director of the Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program at Maimonides Medical Center. 

In our January episode, we got to know Dr. Lela Mayers, the Benefit Funds’ new Deputy Chief Medical Officer. In this month’s Key Note, Dr. Mayers discusses the wide range of wellness resources members can take advantage of to support them on their health journeys.  
The Takeaway
We want to hear from you! Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube
Start your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician.
Visit our Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
Talk to your doctor about any screenings you may need: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthybodies.
Know your numbers to find out where you stand: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists
Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.
Guest BioDr. Lela Mayers is the Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) of the 1199SEIU Benefit Funds, which provide comprehensive self-insured, self-administered healthcare benefits to more than 450,000 healthcare workers, retirees and their families. As DCMO, Dr. Mayers assists the Chief Medical Officer with the Benefit Funds’ clinical and care management strategies, as well as health and wellness initiatives.
Prior to joining the Benefit Funds, Dr. Mayers served as Senior Medical Director at CVS Health/Aetna. There she collaborated with the account management teams, pharmacy teams, consulting firms and plan sponsors to drive improved health outcomes for commercial and labor health plan members. Prior to that, she served as Chief of Medicine at Premier Healthcare, where she managed five ambulatory health centers across New York City. Her previous experience with union membership was earned at the Benefit Fund of the New York Hotel Trades, where she was medical director of the Harlem Health Center. Dr. Mayers worked for many years as a primary care physician at the Farrell Health Center of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, where she served as faculty and medical director of the resident training program. Dr. Mayers continues to hold a position as voluntary faculty/instructor in clinical medicine at Columbia University’s Center for Family and Community Medicine. She is a licensed physician in New York State and is board certified with the American Board of Family Medicine.
Dr. Mayers received a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University, a Doctor of Medicine from Cornell University Medical College (now Weill Cornell Medical College) and a Master of Public Health from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Lela Mayers, the Benefit Funds’ Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO). Dr. Mayers recently joined us to work alongside Chief Medical Officer Dr. Van Dunn in supporting our members’ health journeys. In our conversation, we get to know more about our new DCMO, who began her career as a family medicine physician. Among other things, we learn what she loved about family medicine, why she made the transition to her current role at the Benefit Funds, why it’s so important for healthcare workers to make their own health a priority, what she’s learned from walking in our members’ shoes and what she looked for when she found the perfect doctor for her parents – and what we can all look for, too.
The Takeaway
Start your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician.
Visit our Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
Talk to your doctor about any screenings you may need: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthybodies.
Know your numbers to find out where you stand: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists
Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.
We want to hear from you! Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // YouTube
Guest BioDr. Lela Mayers is the Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) of the 1199SEIU Benefit Funds, which provide comprehensive self-insured, self-administered healthcare benefits to more than 450,000 healthcare workers, retirees and their families. As DCMO, Dr. Mayers assists the Chief Medical Officer with the Benefit Funds’ clinical, care management and analytics functions, as well as health and wellness initiatives and value-based strategies.
Prior to joining the Benefit Funds, Dr. Mayers served as Senior Medical Director at CVS Health/Aetna. There she collaborated with the account management teams, pharmacy teams, consulting firms and plan sponsors to drive improved health outcomes for commercial and labor health plan members. Prior to that, she served as Chief of Medicine at Premier Healthcare, where she managed five ambulatory health centers across New York City. Her previous experience with union membership was earned at the Benefit Fund of the New York Hotel Trades, where she was medial director of the Harlem Health Center. Dr. Mayers worked for many years as a primary care physician at the Farrell Health Center of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, where she served as faculty and medical director of the resident training program. Dr. Mayers continues to hold a position as voluntary faculty/instructor in clinical medicine at Columbia University’s Center for Family and Community Medicine. She is a licensed physician in New York State and is board certified with the American Board of Family Medicine.
Dr. Mayers received a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University, a Doctor of Medicine from Cornell University Medical College (now Weill Cornell Medical College) and a Master of Public Health from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University.

In our December episode, Dr. Karinn Glover joined us to help explore why the holidays can stir up so many conflicting feelings – and share a few simple self-care strategies. In this month’s Key Note, Dr. Glover discusses the post-holiday letdown some of us can feel once the festivities are over – and offers some solutions to get us through what can seem like a long winter ahead.
The Takeaway
Visit the Healthy Minds section of our Healthy Living Resource Center for additional information and resources: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds/
Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.
Connect with a therapist online through Teladoc: Teladoc.com or (800) TELADOC (835-2362).
For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900.
Contact our partners at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for a wide variety of community resources: naminycmetro.org.
Reach out to the New York State Office of Mental Health Emotional Support Helpline at (844) 863-9314.
Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists
Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.
Guest BioKarinn Glover, MD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where she teaches psychopharmacology and aspects of psychotherapy to Psychiatry and Family Medicine residents. Her decade-plus experience as a psychiatrist and leader in the practice of integrated care and workplace mental health has informed her approach to health equity, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEI+B), and the styles of leadership that produce organizational success. Dr. Glover attended SUNY Downstate College of Medicine and obtained a Master of Public Health from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health via the highly competitive Macy Scholars Program.

With the holidays well underway, some of us may be feeling pressure to enjoy “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” when the spirit of the season just isn’t grabbing us. Or maybe it has, but the hustle and bustle is overwhelming and leaves us experiencing some less-than-jolly emotions. To help us navigate the holidays, if not joyfully then at least healthfully, we asked Dr. Karinn Glover, an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, to join us for this month’s episode. Dr. Glover helps us explore why the season stirs up so many conflicting feelings – and shares self-care strategies we can use to rediscover some of that comfort and joy we all deserve.
 
The Takeaway
Visit the Healthy Minds section of our Healthy Living Resource Center for additional information and resources: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds/
Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.
Connect with a therapist online through Teladoc: Teladoc.com or (800) TELADOC (835-2362).
For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900.
Contact our partners at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for a wide variety of community resources: naminycmetro.org.
Reach out to the New York State Office of Mental Health Emotional Support Helpline at (844) 863-9314.
Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists
Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.
Guest BioKarinn Glover, MD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where she teaches psychopharmacology and aspects of psychotherapy to Psychiatry and Family Medicine residents. Her decade-plus experience as a psychiatrist and leader in the practice of integrated care and workplace mental health has informed her approach to health equity, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEI+B), and the styles of leadership that produce organizational success. Dr. Glover attended SUNY Downstate College of Medicine and obtained a Master of Public Health from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health via the highly competitive Macy Scholars Program.

In our November episode, we were joined by renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson, who offered some simple ideas to give your holiday meals a healthy twist. In this month’s Key Note, Chef Marcus shares a simple recipe for injera, a super-nutritious bread that makes a great go-with for any meal. Bonus: For a chance to win Chef Marcus’s book The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food – complete with injera recipe – just share your favorite tip for making the holidays healthier at instagram.com/1199SEIUBenefitFunds or facebook.com/1199SEIUBenefitFunds. But hurry: Our book giveaway ends Saturday, November 30. The Takeaway
Start your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.
Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
Join WeightWatchers at a discounted rate of just $8 a month; $0 if you are living with diabetes or prediabetes: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/ww.
If you are living with type 2 diabetes, find out more about our partner Virta’s diabetes reversal program: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/news/virta.
Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
Find a greenmarket near you by visiting grownyc.org/greenmarket/ourmarkets.
Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of cooking demos and healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists
Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.
To order one of Chef Marcus’s books, visit marcussamuelsson.com/shop.
Guest BioMarcus Samuelsson, award-winning chef, restaurateur, author and activist, is the esteemed chef behind many restaurants worldwide, including Red Rooster in Harlem and Red Rooster Overtown in Miami; Hav & Mar in the Chelsea Arts District; Metropolis at the Perelman Performing Arts Center in lower Manhattan; and several international locations, including the Bahamas, Canada and Ethiopia. Samuelsson was the youngest person ever to receive a three-star review from The New York Times. He has won eight James Beard Foundation Awards and was the guest chef for the Obama Administration’s first state dinner.In 2023, Marcus earned an Emmy Award for the Short Form Program “My Mark.”  He is a longstanding judge and TV personality on the hit Food Network show Chopped, head judge of Top Chef Family Style, and an Iron Chef on Netflix’s rebooted Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend. Samuelsson served as host and producer of the Seat at the Table audio series on Audible and co-host of the This Moment podcast with Swedish rapper Timbuktu on Acast. He is the author of multiple books, including The New York Times bestseller Yes, Chef: A Memoir, as well as the critically acclaimed The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food.To complement his professional commitments, Samuelsson is co-chair of Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), which focuses on helping underserved youth. An active public speaker, Marcus hosted his first TED Talk at the world-famous Apollo Theater in 2012. He was invited back in 2024, when he was joined in conversation by renowned curator Thelma Golden to discuss the intersection of food, culture and community. He participates in lectures globally, most recently with the Gates Foundation and The New York Times during Climate Week NYC 2024.Follow Samuelsson on Instagram, Facebook, and X at @MarcusCooks and on TikTok at @Marcus_Cooks