Behind the Business with Mary Zmuda of Nova Medical Group
Mary Zmuda is our Behind the Business spotlight for this week! She is the Wellness Manager at Nova Medical Group. Thanks Mary!
(Mary, left, and her co-workers at the Healthy Business Awards Reception in 2014.)
1. What is your favorite aspect of your job? What is the biggest struggle? Tell us a little bit about what you do.
As the Wellness Manager of Nova Medical Group, I am responsible for helping the Nova Medical Group employees and our corporate wellness clients achieve optimal health and improve their well-being. This includes education and initiatives in fitness, nutrition, stress management, smoking cessation, chronic disease prevention, weight management, work/life balance, and social wellness. I try to infuse positivity into every aspect of my job to show people that being healthy can be easy and fun. I love that I get the opportunity to interact with so many people and, to me, nothing is more inspiring than seeing someone reach their health and wellness goals!
2. What were the main stepping stones to get you to where you are today? (college degree, experience, mentors, etc.)
Growing up being active and playing sports, my health has always been important to me. I received both my Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and my Master of Public Health from the University of South Carolina (Go Gamecocks!). I am very fortunate to have some great mentors in my life who have encouraged my “go-getter” attitude and instilled in me a desire to always continue to learn from others. One of my very first mentors, my Dad, taught me the most important life lesson that I have learned to date – the Golden Rule. As elementary as it sounds, I truly believe that you will get so far in life by simply treating those around you how you would want to be treated, whether in the office, at home, or in the community.
3. What would you recommend to any Young Professional trying to get their feet planted in the Northern Virginia area?
Get involved! Seek out your local Chamber of Commerce, join a volunteer group, or attend meetings for a professional organization that interests you. Being a transplant to Northern Virginia myself, I did not know anyone when I first moved here and my involvement with the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce has opened so many doors for me both personally and professionally.
4. What is your favorite app?
I am obsessed with my Fitbit app. It tracks everything that I do – steps, sleep, water intake, calories burned, stairs climbed, and more. It brings out the competitive side in me!
5. Where is your favorite spot to hang out on the weekends in Loudoun?
The vineyards, hands down. It still amazes me how many we have right here in our backyard in Loudoun!
Thank you Mary for being our spotlight in Behind the Business this week! Visit Nova Medical Group’s website here.