Driving Well-Being Forward: Mercer’s 2026 Annual Health Fair

08.12.26
6 min read

For nearly 50 years, Mercer has worked to create a culture where employees feel valued not only for the work they do, but also as people. That commitment includes investing in the mental and physical well-being of our staff and continually finding meaningful ways to support their longevity and quality of life.

That spirit was on full display at Mercer’s 2026 Annual Health Fair. Organized each year by our Human Resources Department, this year’s fair embraced a car-racing theme—turning the event into an engaging series of wellness “pit stops” where employees could pause, connect, and learn more about caring for themselves and their families.

The theme offered a fitting reminder: staying well is not a sprint. It is a lifelong journey, supported by regular check-ins, reliable resources, and a community that wants to see you thrive.

Practical Resources at Every Pit Stop

Throughout the health fair, employees visited tables hosted by local organizations, spoke directly with knowledgeable representatives, and received practical information they could use in everyday life. Staff could also participate in activities such as blood pressure checks, mini EKG screenings, and brief massages.

These resources were local, tangible, and accessible. No one was there to sell anything. The focus was simply on providing useful information and connecting employees with people and services that could support their health.

For Karla McDonald, Qualifications Specialist, the fair provided an opportunity to check in on areas of her health that she already monitors.

“My favorite part was going around to the different tables and seeing what the different businesses offered,” she shared. “I actually did the little mini EKG thing just to see, and everything was normal. I made sure to get my blood pressure checked because I have high blood pressure.”

She also recognized that the information could be valuable beyond her own immediate needs.

“I saw information that may not be for me, but it would be beneficial to me and my aging parents.”

That is an important part of Mercer’s approach to wellness. Helpful information does not always apply only to the person receiving it. It may also help an employee support a parent, care for a family member, or prepare for a future need. By bringing these resources directly to campus, Mercer makes it easier for staff to identify what could be useful at different stages of life.

Making Benefits Easier to Navigate

Benefits packages and wellness programs can sometimes feel complicated when they are presented only through documents or online portals. The Annual Health Fair gives employees an opportunity to have real conversations, ask specific questions, and better understand how available resources may work in tandem with Mercer’s benefits.

Kelly Kwiatkowski, Trailer Program Administrator, appreciated being able to meet representatives face-to-face.

“My favorite part about the health fair was just getting to meet the different vendors and seeing what was really out there,” she said. “We can ask questions that we normally wouldn’t get to ask on a daily basis.”

She also valued having one-on-one conversations and receiving information she could take with her, describing the experience as exactly what she had been looking for.

These personal interactions can help employees move from simply knowing that a benefit exists to understanding how it might work for them. In that sense, each table at the fair served as more than a themed pit stop—it was a place where employees could gain direction for the road ahead.

Keeping Wellness in Motion Throughout the Year

The Annual Health Fair may be a highlight of the year, but Mercer’s commitment to staff well-being does not end when the event is over. Throughout the year, Mercer continues looking for new ways to engage employees in caring for their physical and mental health.

Campus walking challenges encourage staff to get moving while building a stronger sense of community. They add a little friendly momentum to the workday and give colleagues an opportunity to encourage one another, connect across departments, and work toward a shared goal. Wellness becomes something employees can experience together rather than something they must pursue alone.

Mercer also hosts monthly Lunch & Learn events focused on health, wellness, and the resources available to staff. These gatherings bring useful information into an approachable setting, helping employees learn more about important health topics and understand how Mercer’s benefits packages may complement other available services.

The purpose is not to overwhelm employees with information. It is to make that information understandable, relevant, and available when it is needed.

A Boost for Both Health and Morale

The racing theme brought energy and fun to the fair, but it also created space for employees to slow down. Staff could step away from their computers, enjoy upbeat music, spend time with colleagues, and take a moment to recharge.

Chasity Hebner, Director of Recruiting, described the event as a welcome boost to employee morale.

“I thought it was great,” she said. “There were a lot of good resources. I liked how they had all the little pit stops. Snacks, of course. But my favorite was probably the massage.”

Even a brief massage made a noticeable difference during a workday. Chasity also recalled the positive atmosphere and the energy shared by her colleagues.

“I think it’s important because it brings up morale,” she explained. “We all sit at computers all day long, so I think it’s just great… Great for employee happiness and employee well-being.”

Her experience captures what Mercer hopes to create through programs like the Annual Health Fair: an environment where wellness feels approachable, community is encouraged, and employees know that their well-being matters.

Caring for the Road Ahead

For nearly five decades, caring for staff has been part of Mercer’s culture. That care continues to evolve through local partnerships, educational events, shared wellness activities, and new opportunities for employees to connect with resources that can improve their lives.

The 2026 Annual Health Fair was a reminder that maintaining well-being requires more than one annual checkered flag. It is an ongoing journey shaped by useful information, preventive care, meaningful support, and moments to pause when needed.

Sometimes that support is a health screening or a conversation about benefits. Sometimes it is information that helps an aging parent. Sometimes it is a walk with colleagues, a monthly lunch discussion, or ten restorative minutes away from a computer.

Together, those moments help Mercer continue driving employee well-being forward, caring not only about the work staff accomplish today, but also about the health, connection, and quality of life they carry with them for the road ahead.