HUD Rocky Mountain Region Joins Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Celebrating Earth Day

From left to right: EPA Regional Administrator, Shaun McGrath; Health and Human Services - Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), Staff Assistant Rachel Beason; GSA Regional Administrator Sue Damour; Social Security Administration Denver Regional Commissioner, Sean Brune; HUD Rocky Mountain Regional Administrator Rick Garcia.

On April 22nd in the Mile High City, HUD Rocky Mountain Regional Administrator, Rick Garcia joined Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator, Shaun McGrath and General Services Administration (GSA) Regional Administrator, Sue Damour for an Earth Day Wellness Walk. Social Security Administration Denver Regional Commissioner, Sean Brune also participated in the 1K walk through downtown Denver. They were joined by more than 40 staff members from the four federal agencies.

The Wellness Walk was hosted by EPA. It stood as an excellent demonstration of the collaborative nature of the federal partnerships which exist in Region VIII.

Beyond promoting more sustainable practices to benefit the environment, the event also highlighted the importance of physical health and wellness. The Wellness Walk also corresponded with the ongoing work Region VIII federal partners are accomplishing through the National Prevention Strategy (NPS) (www.surgeongeneral.gov/initiatives/prevention/strategy/). It maintains improving Federal Employee Wellness as one of its key objectives.

The HUD Denver Regional Office has been actively engaged in the NPS. It was released in 2011 with the goal of improving the health of every American at every stage of life. The Federal Council which oversees implementation of the Strategy includes more than 16 federal agencies, partnered with state departments, local municipalities, and community organizations across Region VIII.

To learn more about the National Prevention Strategy, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov

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