by Gavin Ryno, Class of 2024
Who PHEs are
Peer Health Educators (PHE) is a diverse group of 70 UVA undergraduate students trained to empower their peers to practice holistic health and well-being on grounds by being PIE, or Positive, Inclusive, and Empowering. PHEs work out of the Office of Health Promotion in the Student Health and Wellness building in order to adapt the organization to educating peers on relevant issues.
What PHEs Do
Every single year, PHEs are coming together to bring new ideas and events into fruition. PHEs are doing lots of outreach programs across grounds, including in dorms, Greek life, and other student organizations. For the past years, PHEs have delivered alcohol presentations to all first year dorms. In addition to programming, PHEs compile and distribute the Wahoo Weekender, which is a free email subscription highlighting fun and substance free events on grounds. PHEs also collaborate with CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) in order to provide free mental health check-ins for students. One of PHEs largest annual events is the FY5K (Fourth Year 5K). This race started in the 1990’s in honor of Leslie Baltz, a student who died as a result of a high risk drinking accident. Today, the race does a great job of bringing the community together and promoting healthy behaviors when it comes to alcohol. PHEs also do lots of casual events, like Sex Queeries, in order to learn about queer-specific sexual health.
How to Join PHE
Every single year, PHEs are actively working in order to increase diversity within the organization, from race, ethnicity, gender, major, interests, ideas, etc. in order to recruit a diverse class of 30 new PHEs. In order to join PHE, you can apply in the Spring semester of your first or second year. After you complete the PHE training course, you then have the opportunity to join our Leadership Team, which allows you to be an intern with the Office of Health Promotion and further PHEs efforts. The application process consists of short essays and then an interview. Joining PHE, you are gaining a tight-knit community and unlimited opportunities for growth.
Why I Joined PHE
“I joined PHE as a means to create cultural change in my university community, but I gained so many genuine friends and meaningful memories along the way. Knowing that I get to work with a group of lively, creative, and kind hearted people is something I am truly grateful for. If you are looking for a family on grounds, PHE is it!” -Ruma Jadhav
“I have been able to have a seat at the table for discussions on health and wellbeing of collegiate students and PHE has been an incredible learning experience to learn about what genuinely works to support a more holistic perspective on wellbeing. The PHEs are an incredible group of driven and passionate people who also care about these same things that I do and I am absolutely forever thankful to have been afforded the opportunity to join.” -Mahdin Hossain
Gavin Ryno
College of Arts and Sciences, Class of 2024
Neuroscience major