Faces of Wellness
Honourees
Interested in seeing previous years’ recipients and honourees?
Select one of the years below to see the recipient and runners-up from that year.
2023 honourees
Ufuoma Muwhen
Grand prize recipient
Ufuoma Muwhen is the grand prize recipient of our third annual Faces of Wellness program. Her story of determination, resilience and dedication to her community makes her a champion for wellness.
Ufuoma lived with the emotional and physical challenges of sickle cell disease for 18 years. Cured after a bone marrow transplant, she wanted to be an advocate and positive light for others with sickle cell disease. She now focuses on creating hope and advancing knowledge.
Ufuoma created NotJustYou, a nonprofit sickle cell support organization that provides a platform for individuals to connect, share experiences and access support. Her work as a community builder and her positive outlook showcases her dedication to wellness through meaningful change.
"It's important to recognize and celebrate the joy and fulfillment I find in life's simple pleasures, promoting a balanced and positive outlook."
By utilizing her background in biological sciences, psychology and diverse research projects, she advances knowledge of sickle cell disease while addressing gaps in the health care system. Her passion for enhancing health care for marginalized communities is demonstrated through her active engagement in public health boards and advocacy for Black health.
Ufuoma’s inspiring work and story granted her an all-expense-paid weekend wellness experience in Banff.
Evan James Mudryk
Finalist
In 2011, Evan James Mudryk suffered a massive brain hemorrhage that led to a stroke. After surgery and a 10-day coma, he couldn’t speak, eat or walk. He worked through various forms of therapy during the 11 months that followed. Thanks to his positive attitude and strong will, Evan regained his mobility and much of his speech; although, he still sometimes struggles with words due to aphasia.
Despite the many challenges, Evan continued to push himself. He completed his university degree and now informs and inspires students at the University of Alberta as a guest lecturer. He also shares his story on his YouTube channel Stroke How To and to various groups at the Halvar Jonson Centre, Brain Care Centre, Networks Activity Centre Society of Alberta and more. He educates others on the signs of a stroke and stroke recovery, and shares messages of positivity.
"Happiness is everywhere but sometimes just in little bits of progress."
Shawna Rose Goss
Finalist
After facing abuse, human trafficking and confinement, Shawna Rose Goss turned to her community. To help with her healing and personal wellness, she developed relationships with those around her at work and within her community. Both Shawna and her husband were active community members, but Shawna’s world was shattered in 2016 when she lost her husband in a workplace accident.
Shawna felt lost and alone. She suffers from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, and found she needed more support than what her manager and co-workers were able to offer. She tried counselling services, but this resource didn’t fully fit her situation.
After years of navigating her mental health needs and wellness, Shawna reached out to her manager and started a peer support group at her organization. Now, she holds seminars in various departments and encourages her team members to contact her whenever they are in need.
Michelle Williscroft
Finalist
Michelle Williscroft loves her rural community in Fox Creek. The scenic, forested area is beautiful, but it was missing a way for community members to actively enjoy the space. She noticed her community struggled with chronic disease and sedentary lifestyles and sought a solution. To address these problems and encourage people to get outside and enjoy nature, Michelle started the Fox Creek Nordic and Trail Club, a non-profit group focused on promoting and developing multi-use trails.
After creating keynote presentations and applying for grants, Michelle helped raise $1 million to build trails and a bike park. Now, countless members of her community—from seniors to kids—take advantage of these bike trails. Walking, biking and skiing in the area have increased and the bike racks are in constant use.
"In addition to the physical gains seen, the mental and emotional gain from being outside in nature is one of the greatest mental health assets."
Sundas Shamshad
Finalist
After fighting breast cancer at a young age, Sundas Shamshad noticed her city was missing resources and supports for people like her. Throughout her diagnosis, she felt lonely and wanted to make an impactful change.
She founded the only cancer support group in Fort McMurray—Sisters in Cancer. This support group offers peer-to-peer programs, alongside financial and mental health aids, for cancer patients. Sundas is also an advisory board member for EXercise for Cancer to Enhance Living well (EXCEL). Through her work, she helps support cancer patients and survivors through mental, physical and emotional aids.
Sundas advocates for mental health as a board member and ambassador for the Compassion House Foundation and through many aspects of her work and volunteer roles. She is currently the interim executive director of Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta where she works to create positive change for girls to break free from gender stereotypes.
Wayne Scouten
Finalist
After 10 years as a sheriff with the Alberta Government, Wayne Scouten hit a traumatic turning point. In November 2022, he suffered a traumatic work incident involving graphic violence against women that left him off work for 3 months. His experiences with childhood trauma were magnified due to the incident, along with his daily exposure to violence in the workplace.
Wayne realized this trauma impacted his daily life. He struggled with sleep and constantly feared his family and himself were in danger. In his mind, he was always at work.
After working with a therapist and occupational therapist at the Wayfound Organization, Wayne started Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. He now incorporates wellness practices into his daily life, including meditation and yoga. These tools help him clear his mind and operate at a normal level.
Wayne shares his journey with colleagues and passes on his knowledge to help them maintain healthy mind and body within their work. In 2023, he received the Queen’s Jubilee medal for his work on mental health within the Sheriff branch. He currently sits on the wellness board that he helped create to improve mental health resources for those in law enforcement.
"I believe that many of our members suffer in silence, and I hope my advocacy changes stigma within law enforcement."
Dr. Kimberly Kluthe
Finalist
Dr. Kimberly Kluthe is an acupuncturist and manual osteopathic therapist who lives with endometriosis and Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder. Her 20-year career in acupuncture has focused on reproductive health and fertility. Through promoting positive lifestyle changes and advocating for women’s health, Kimberly uses her knowledge and empathy to support her patients.
Her passion has a personal tie. Kimberly was diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of 19, which resulted in 8 miscarriages, several ovarian cysts, multiple surgeries and a near-death experience due to blood loss. Along with Hashimoto’s disease, she also lives with debilitating migraines and depression, but she doesn’t let this limit her. She uses her expertise and experience to inspire and support others facing similar challenges. Through her guidance, compassion and hope, Kimberly demonstrates how to navigate chronic illness and infertility while living a fulfilling life.
"It is my unwavering belief that everyone deserves the chance to experience the joy of parenthood, and I am committed to making that a reality for as many people as possible."
Andrea Paquette
Finalist
At 25 years old, Andrea Paquette was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Instead of letting stigma hold her back, she saw an opportunity to support and educate those like her. She is now a passionate advocate for mental, emotion and physical health and wellness.
In 2010, Andrea founded the Stigma-Free Society, a charity providing education around stigma and acceptance of mental wellbeing in schools and rural communities. Over the years, the program has expanded to multiple provinces, growing to include no-cost school programing.
Andrea creates safe spaces for others to share their experiences while learning how to better support others. Her push for empowerment, compassion and lasting change inspires younger generations.
Enessa Habib
Finalist
In 2021, Enessa Habib started YEG Honeycomb, a project designed to bring bees to historic locations throughout Edmonton. YEG Honeycomb works with residents at Alberta Hospital Edmonton’s Facility for Mental Health and Addiction and the Grierson Centre to help patients successfully transition out of the facilities and into the community. The bees have homes at Edmonton City Hall, Chancery Hall, Fort Edmonton Park, the Alberta Aviation Museum, Magrath Mansion, Old Man Creek Nursery and the Rossdale Power Plant.
"The journey has been healing for me and others as we care for and tend to the bees in a gentle way. This creature is more vulnerable and fragile than us. It allows us to reflect inward and look at what we need to do to take care of ourselves and where we fit within nature."
From the thrumming of their wings, bees have a healing frequency that is known to have many benefits. Over extended periods, the frequency can retune the cognitive dissonance of a brain impacted by post-traumatic stress disorder. Through beekeeping, Enessa hopes to help vulnerable and marginalized groups benefit from positive social connections and moments of mindfulness.
Cyndie McOuat
Finalist
Cyndie McOuat’s life changed in October 2007 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. As a mother of 2 kids, she knew the journey would be difficult for everyone. After surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, Cyndie fell into depression.
Volunteering was always part of Cyndie’s life, so that’s where she turned in her time of need. While volunteering for Run for the Cure, she found a sistership booth that was recruiting breast cancer survivors for their dragon boat team. For the first time in her 50 years of life, Cyndie participated on a sports team.
"The friends I’ve made and the experiences I’ve had—like the feeling of a medal being put around my neck after finishing in the top spot in a race—has brought me a lot of joy, the joy I thought I had lost during my journey."
In 2019, Cyndie was designated the CIBC Run for the Cure survivor spokesperson. She joined the sisterhood in 2009 and still beams with pride when they win a race. Her focus is now on volunteering with cancer organizations to foster wellness and heighten the importance of breast health, something that has become near and dear to her heart.
Crystal Phillips
Finalist
At 19 years old and at the height of her speed skating career, Crystal Phillips was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Despite the news, she didn’t let it stop her or her dream. She co-founded the Branch Out Neurological Foundation, which funds research for non-pharmaceutical alternatives for neurological disorders.
Crystal inspires those around her with her story and MS patient advocacy. Thanks to her positive attitude and drive, she continues to inspire innovation for neurological disorder treatment.
2022 honourees
Lauren Kennedy West
Grand prize recipient
Lauren Kennedy West is the grand prize winner of our second annual Faces of Wellness program to recognize Albertans who are everyday champions for wellness in their own lives, workplaces and communities.
Lauren is an Edmonton mother of three who embodies what it means to live well with schizophrenia. Lauren not only works hard to practice wellness in her own life and the lives of her family but is inspiring others around the world through her YouTube channel called 'Living Well with Schizophrenia' where she shares her experiences living with and navigating her illness. The channel has over 175,000 subscribers and her videos have over 16 million views. She provides a safe space for countless people who would otherwise feel alone in their experience of schizophrenia and exemplifies what it means to live well with her illness. Lauren also runs an online peer support community for those living with schizophrenia spectrum illnesses, is a fierce advocate for mental health care reform and has become a prominent voice in the mental health advocacy community.
Beyond her advocacy work, Lauren works hard every day on her own wellness, managing her schizoaffective disorder largely through medication, but also therapy, sleep, nutrition and exercise. She is an avid runner and has run multiple ultra marathons as a component of her wellness journey.
Lauren was awarded an all-expense-paid weekend wellness experience in Banff for her inspiring story.
Sandra McFadyen
Finalist
Sandra McFadyen believes wellness is composed of a number of facets:
- The physical—she visits the Southeast Edmonton Seniors' Centre fitness centre three times a week to use their circuit training equipment and on the other days of the week, she tries to reach a minimum of 10,000 steps a day.
"I hike all over parts of the city, both green spaces and paved,” says Sandra. “It's amazing what you discover each time you go out, even on paths you've been before. The changes in season bring something new to see each day."
- The mental—Sandra keeps her brain active with various types of challenges such as learning Spanish and completing crossword puzzles and other word games. One of the most mentally challenging things for Sandra is sitting on the executive team of four different non-profit organizations. She’s the chair for WECAN Food Basket Society of Alberta, she is the vice-president for the Southeast Edmonton Seniors' Association, she sits on the board of ElderCare Edmonton and she also sits on her condominium board.
- The spiritual—Sandra finds deep calm, meaning and peace when being in nature. “It reminds me of the presence of a much larger being and that I am but one piece of a very large vista.” She serves as a death doula for those individuals who would like comfort and companionship as they follow their final journey.
- The social—as a self-proclaimed introvert, Sandra understands there’s value in gathering with people, both whom we know and those we don't to learn from them, listen to their stories and gain new understanding and appreciation of issues, events and situations.
"I try to intentionally insert social gatherings into my calendar so that I make sure I have that opportunity to show empathy, caring and compassion."
Deb Hymers
Finalist
Deb Hymers is the founder of NSTEP (Nutrition Students Teachers Exercising with Parents), a not-for-profit registered charity based in Alberta providing hands-on nutrition and physical activity programs directly into classrooms, community centers and afterschool programming. NSTEPs mission is to educate and motivate children to eat better, walk more and live longer; and its programs work directly with children and youth in both school and community settings to inspire teachers, students and parents to make small simple changes for lifelong health benefits.
The program has provided support to more than 50,000 children and youth since its inception. Deb is a tireless champion for children’s wellness and also has a strong commitment to promoting health equity and working specifically with schools in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities across Alberta.
Tyson Yanchycki
Finalist
When Tyson was 19 years old he was diagnosed with cancer and required multiple surgeries and an extensive period of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy left him with severe damage to his lungs and extensive neuropathy and after finding this out, Tyson started running in hopes of offsetting this damage.
It was after losing both his grandmother and uncle to cancer, and as a survivor himself, that Tyson decided to raise money for cancer research. In 2019 he ran across Alberta and raised more than $20,000 for the Terry Fox foundation. To this day, Tyson has continued running, his lungs have built capacity to be above average for his age and he just recently qualified for the Boston Marathon, running a sub 3-hour marathon.
Tyson continues to help inspire others to begin healthy habits and prioritize what is important in life.
Dr. Marie Holowaychuk
Finalist
When Dr. Marie Holowaychuk was thriving as a veterinarian, public speaker and educator, her chronic stress was taking a toll on both her body and mind. She was beginning to experience burnout from her busy life working locally and travelling as a small animal and critical care specialist.
That all changed in 2014 when Marie was in car accident that served as a wake-up call to slow down. Not only did she have to put work on hold for several weeks while she recovered, she also recognized that she needed to make changes in her life that would allow her to balance the work she loved with the life she wanted to live.
Marie began to prioritize her mental and physical health. She sought counselling and worked with her physician and naturopathic doctor to address some of the causes and consequences of her chronic stress and overwhelm. She also did an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program, became a certified yoga teacher and completed a meditation teacher program.
After recognizing the prevalence of compassion fatigue, burnout, suicide, mental health stigma and other issues within veterinary medicine were not being spoken about enough, Marie decided to share the lessons she had learned through her website, marieholowaychuk.com where she provides free resources on the topics of mental health, burnout, setting boundaries and more. She also shares information on her biweekly Reviving Vet Med podcast and with social media posts on several platforms.
Earl Thiessen
Finalist
After a life of trauma, homelessness and addiction and the murder of his partner when they were homeless, Earl Thiessen made the decision to get help. After being arrested with 11 warrants, he told the Justice of the Peace that he wanted and needed help.
"He [Justice of the Peace] took a chance and released me,” explains Earl. “I walked up to medical detox on November 13, 2007, and have been clean, sober and on my healing journey ever since."
Earl reconnected with his Indigenous culture while in residential treatment, which helped with his healing. After treatment, Earl moved into an Oxford Home whose mission is to provide people in recovery from addictions, a supportive program and safe home to achieve a productive, rewarding, clean sober life. After the founder of Oxford House witnessed the change Earl made in the Oxford Home, he offered Earl a position as a support worker.
10 years later, after climbing through multiple positions at The Oxford House Foundation of Canada, Earl is the new executive director and one of the biggest advocates for mental health, addiction, homelessness and Indigenous healing in Alberta.
"What I do for a living is not work, it’s a gift and I love and appreciate all of those struggling and all of those working to make other peoples lives better."
Sydney Hampshire
Finalist
At age 9, Sydney Hampshire had an ischemic stroke that left her completely paralyzed on her left side. The doctors told her parents that she might never walk or speak again.
"I remember waking up after my stroke, being told what had happened and breaking down,” says Sydney. “I could not understand why this had happened to me."
For Sydney the only choice was to get better. And with some creative modifications, she’s able to do whatever she puts her mind to including snowboarding, cross-country skiing, biking, hiking, camping and canoeing. She also helps empower others to get outside through the University of Alberta's outdoors club. “Heck, if I can climb a mountain, so can you.”
Every facet of Sydney’s life has been impacted by her stroke, from enduring frequent Botox injections to ensuring she’s able to remain physically active through physiotherapy and daily workouts.
Sydney used her experiences as a child to obtain a masters of rehabilitation sciences. She also co-founded Click&Push Accessibility Inc. and created an app called The Atlas which people with mobility limitations can use to ensure they do not encounter barriers that impede access, increase the risk of injury and deplete energy reserves.
"I always encourage others to work towards the life they want for themselves, regardless of the hand they have been dealt, and continuously strive to uplift others."
2021 honourees
Steven Prudhomme
Grand prize recipient
Steven Prudhomme was awarded an expense-paid trip to Banff, Alberta, for his heart-wrenching and inspiring testament to perseverance through a time of extreme hardship.
Steven’s struggle with addiction and substance abuse led him down a dark path many simply cannot find their way out of, but he did. His road to recovery included two and a half months at Alberta Hospital, a year at an addiction treatment centre and two more years in a post-treatment facility.
During this time, he became involved in the sober community and began volunteering—eventually becoming a board member of a sober organization and helping to guide other men through their early recovery days. He was encouraged by a director at the post-treatment home to become a social worker, and so, at the age of 35, he enrolled at MacEwan University and recently completed his social work program with a placement to follow.
Today, Steven is committed to helping others discover life beyond addiction, working with both the Boyle McCauley Health Centre and e4c to support vulnerable Albertans.
“I went from this cookie cutter perfect kid to an image of a character you’d only see in the movies. After the hospital I went into an addiction treatment centre with the idea that I would play along and then I’d be free and I’d go back to what I knew. Well, I was wrong.”
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