When you talk to Sandy Byers, you can’t help but come out of your conversation with a smile on your face! This is what Sandy is determined to do. Her lifelong passion has been to improve the health and wellness of individuals and communities.
A resident of Worthington for over 40 years, Sandy is a retired nursing administrator and has held a number of leadership positions in the health and nursing fields. She holds a Masters Degree in Nursing Administration and after being challenged by her children (Stephen and Linda) she got her PhD
in Policy & Leadership, Educational Administration from The Ohio State University. “Yes I was the oldest in my class! This degree was for me and my children, not to pile higher and deeper!”
After retiring, Sandy describes her current occupation as an active volunteer in com- munity service organizations and in policy and strategic development. “I love being a part of change, development and growth to improve our community. I like to ‘think outside the box’, that includes understand- ing all ages and the way they interpret the world. All people have unique gifts to contribute to productive solutions for the issues we currently face.”
In 2003, Sandy founded Healthy Worthington, an organization that promotes the physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual health & well-being of all who live, work, and play in the greater Worthington area. Eventually, Healthy Worthington led to the creation of The Worthington Food Pantry & Resource Center, where Sandy currently serves as Board Chair. Among others, she also volunteers with the Worthington City Community Relations Commission, the Worthington Substance Abuse Task Group, the Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Community, and is a graduate of
the Worthington Police Academy and the Fire Department’s Citizen Action Team.
Sandy tries hard to balance all of these things in her life. Her keys to this are exercising every day, eating properly, and doing something that is new and relaxing at least twice a week. “It’s ok to take care of yourself! I have a hard time saying ‘no’ to most requests. It is not in my vocabulary! I love people, the challenge of change and the opportunity to contribute my gifts to benefit others. I want to stay healthy for as long as I can to keep contributing and bloom wherever I am planted.”
Another way Sandy relaxes is with music. Music is a key part of her inner self, her balance, and her emotional reactions. “I de-stress with sing- ing. My family is also my balance. I need their hugs and kisses every so often. I also love to laugh and joke around and have fun in respectful ways and I do laugh at myself lots!” Sandy jokes that her biggest obstacle now is figuring out social media!
For more information about Healthy Worthington, visit www.healthyworthington.org.