Health Ninjas
The Health Ninja program is an exciting new program at The University of Iowa! As Health Ninjas, students influence friends and peers to make healthy choices. They are trained and equipped with interesting health knowledge that may be used in everyday conversations. Through these conversations, healthy practices are supported and myths are dispelled.
Health Ninjas have the exciting opportunity to influence and improve the health of friends, peers, and the greater campus community. With a network of Health Ninjas at The University of Iowa, students can help their peers achieve improved levels of health and higher qualities of life. This is an invaluable contribution that Health Ninjas can provide to the UI community.
But it's not just a one-way contribution - Health Ninjas gain lots of benefits too. These include:
- Leadership skills and training
- Better understanding of peer influence
- Skills to use peer influence in positive ways
- Health knowledge about interesting things
- Resources to promote the program (t-shirts, backpacks, etc.)
- The ability to positively impact entire communities, both at UI and beyond
- A great resume builder
To become a Health Ninja, students must be nominated as Health Heroes by their friends. Health Heroes are people who influence peers in ways that promote positive health behavior changes. Nominated students are asked to attend an informational meeting this fall. Training is also provided to better equip Health Ninjas with useful health information.
Questions may be directed to Tanya Villhauer at tanya-villhauer@uiowa.edu.
F.A.Q.
What is a Health Ninja?
Health Ninjas are undergraduate students who recognize the influence that peers play on each other. Health Ninjas use their power to influence peers in order to help their friends understand myths and truths about health during everyday conversations.
What benefits do I receive from being a Health Ninja?
Health Ninjas receive benefits including:
- Leadership skills and training
- Better understanding of peer influence
- Skills to use peer influence in positive ways
- Health knowledge about interesting things
- Resources to promote the program (t-shirts, backpacks, etc.)
- The ability to positively impact entire communities, both at UI and beyond
- A great resume builder
Nominate a Health Hero-- Thank a friend for making your life healthier!
Nominate your health hero and we'll send them personal congratulations and an invite to become a Health Ninja! To nominate your Health Hero, email the following to health-iowa@uiowa.edu:
- Your Health Hero's name
- Their UI student email address
- 50 words or less describing why your friend is a health hero
Some sample comments about previous Health Heroes:
“One of the guys that lives on my floor is always putting together intramural teams, for everything! I probably wouldn’t have joined if he hadn’t stopped by my room to ask, but now I really look forward to Thursday basketball games!”
“I have a noon class with one of my friends. She always pulls something healthy out of her backpack. Normally, I would just grab a cookie or something to bring to class, but now I think about taking something better.”
“My roommate makes me walk to class with her, even when it’s cold outside. BLAH! I’m never happy at the time, but I always feel better afterwards! And we get there before the bus, most of the time. Thanks, roomie!”
“One of the men in my fraternity always hits the gym after dinner. Never fail, he asks if anyone wants to go with him. I probably wouldn’t go if he didn’t ask, but whenever he does, it gives me that extra push.”
How do I learn more about Health Ninjas?
Learn about the program by contacting:
Tanya Villhauer, Health Educator at Health Iowa/Student Health Service
tanya-villhauer@uiowa.edu
Page updated: 3/27/08
