On November 15, Celeste Akers, Behavioral Health Connections Lead for the Department of Psychiatry, was among a group of community leaders honored by the non-profit Keep Omaha Beautiful for leadership in creating volunteer groups.
Akers, who has also chaired Wellness and engagement committees for the psychiatry department, has set up four Keep Omaha Beautiful volunteer opportunities for UNMC/Nebraska Medicine employees.
“I’ve always believed wellness is improved through community connectiveness, and I just think that part of a positive work culture is being engaged with each other, doing service projects and community work. And also, I was just raised to give back to the community,” Akers said. “One of my causes that I care about is the environment. I believe you can help your personal wellness by helping the environment, so I’m happy to do that.”
Akers has also helped arrange volunteer events for the psychiatry staff at Heart Ministry Food Pantry, Town and Country Animal Rescue, Grief’s Journey, and many others. Akers invited Zoe Feilner, PA-C, and Jeanne Lincoln, Department of Psychiatry Administrator, to attend the ceremony because they have routinely participated in the department’s “Keep Omaha Beautiful” volunteer events throughout the years.
Akers said she wants to arrange more volunteer opportunities for staff members at Keep Omaha Beautiful.
“We love to set up volunteer opportunities outside, where people can get out of the office,” Akers said. “Plus, a lot of our staff is environmentally minded. If we can help the community and the environment, we have to do it. We are so thankful for our staff and providers who spend their time contributing to our department’s community engagement activities!”
Celeste has set up many of the community service projects with Feilner, her co-chair on the department’s engagement committee, and Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) Manager Jennifer Sparrock, LCSW, LIMHP.
“Cheers to Celeste,” Sparrock said. “I can’t think of a better choice.”