MATHER LIFEWAYS APPOINTS REED J. ENGEL AS DIRECTOR OF WELLNESS STRATEGIES

Corporate Fitness Expert from The National Institute for Fitness and Sport To Head Health and Wellness Program for 55 + Market
 

EVANSTON , IL- May 9, 2005- Mather LifeWays, a not-for-profit organization that promotes the well-being of older adults and “Ways to Age Well,” announces that it has recently appointed Reed J. Engel as the Director of Wellness Strategies. Engel brings 15 years of comprehensive management and operations experience in health and wellness programs for not-for-profit, corporate, hospital and government sectors.

Most recently, he served as a volunteer for the Peace Corps for the Ministry of Health in the Republic of Kiribati , where he designed and built the country’s first youth health and wellness facility. Among Engel’s accomplishments, he assisted the Kiribati Red Cross with strategic planning and fundraising. Previous to his work with the Peace Corps, he worked as a Director for corporate and hospital-based health and fitness programs, where he managed the start-up and successful operations of a new, state-of-the-art facility. Under his direction, the National Institute for Fitness and Sport experienced an 800% growth in corporate health facilities and an expansion into seven states.

As a Director of Mather LifeWays, Engel will be contributing to the well-being of older adults locally and nationally through the Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging, the applied research and education arm of the organization that focuses on wellness, quality of life, caregiving, Alzheimer’s, dementia and long-term care staff development. Engel will direct Mather LifeWays in reinforcing the many Ways to Age Well. Mather LifeWays’ embraces and supports a whole person wellness model, including emotional, intellectual, physical, social, spiritual, and vocational health. Engel will help older adults remain engaged and active in every aspect of life, whether they choose to live in a senior living residence or remain at home. Mather LifeWays has been building an infrastructure to help support the diverse health and wellness needs of older adults for over fifty years.

Currently, Engel is responsible for helping to build the Wellness Center in Splendido at Rancho Vistoso, a new resort-style retirement community that is a joint venture between Mather LifeWays and The Plaza Companies, one of Arizona ‘s leading developers of senior living communities. Recently Splendido has announced the availability of Phase II units which introduces one new floor plan to the community, and has begun construction work on site at its OroValley location.

“Reed will be an important addition to our team,” said Mary Leary, CEO of Mather LifeWays. “Reed is a results-oriented and accomplished executive in the fitness and health services field, and has a wealth of proven experience in planning and managing health organizations on many different levels. We look forward to having Reed join Mather LifeWays to ensure older adults have many rewarding Ways to Age Well.”

Engel is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Philosophy in Health promotion from Purdue University , with two Master of Arts, one in Exercise Science and Health Education and another in Economics from Miami University in Oxford , Ohio . Engel also completed his Bachelor of Arts in Economics at Miami University in Oxford , and has served various positions within organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Heart Association and the Association for Worksite Health Promotion.

“I am pleased to join such an innovative, caring organization that recognizes the growing needs of older adults in our community,” said Engel. “I share Mather LifeWays’ vision for helping older adults age well, and will help provide unique and exciting opportunities and programs to enhance vitality and wellness.”

Who is Mather LifeWays?

Mather LifeWays is a 50+-year-old, not-for-profit organization committed to helping older adults age well. Mather LifeWays demonstrates its commitment to promoting the vitality and well-being of older adults by providing a variety of experiences and services to meet this diverse group’s lifestyle preferences. These offerings include senior residences, research and education and community programs. Mather LifeWays’ senior living communities offer choices and flexibility, from independent living to assisted living and skilled care. The Institute on Aging plays a leading role in enhancing the lives of older adults in today’s society through numerous collaborative and applied research and education projects. Mather LifeWays’ Community Initiatives programs, including the successful Mather’s – More Than a Café concept, enable Mather LifeWays to act as a point of contact for older adults who seek access to community resources. These accomplishments, and more, make Mather LifeWays unique in its goal to advance the possibilities for a lifetime of active living. The organization is based in Evanston , Ill. More information is available at www.matherlifeways.com .

 

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Press Inquiries

Paula Ledbetter
(847) 868.5930
pledbetter@matherlifeways.com

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