Skip to main content
Sara Herr's avatar

Sara Herr

Medical College of Wisconsin

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 867 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    131
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    363
    minutes
    spent being mindful and/or meditating
  • UP TO
    24
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    31
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    143
    items
    recycled
  • UP TO
    120
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1.0
    pint of blood
    donated
  • UP TO
    1,585
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    101
    more servings
    of fruits and vegetables
  • UP TO
    6.0
    healthcare connections
    made
  • UP TO
    1.0
    advocacy action
    completed
  • UP TO
    120
    hours
    volunteered
  • UP TO
    135
    minutes spent
    learning

Sara's actions

One Healthcare

Donate Blood

I will donate blood in my community to make sure there are adequate supplies for routine medical services and emergencies.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

One Healthcare

Network for Change

I will make 4 new healthcare connections at my workplace or beyond to learn from my peers, share best practices, and see if there are opportunities for collaboration.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

One Healthcare

Use A Reusable Mug/Bottle

I will keep 5 disposable cup(s) and/or bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle, cup, or mug.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

At Work

Turn It Off

I will turn my computer monitor(s) off at my work station when not in use to save energy (I will follow my organization's IT instructions for keeping on, turning off, or restarting computers).

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

At Home

Adjust the Thermostat

I will adjust my thermostat down 2 degrees from usual when I use the heat, and up 2 degrees when I use air conditioning.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Work

Prevent Recycling Contamination

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 30 minutes learning about which items are recyclable both at my workplace and at home since they may be different, and recycle only those items.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Home

Brush My Teeth Without Water Running

I will save up to 4 gallons (15 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

At Home

Switch to Cold Water

I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 1,600 lbs of CO2 over the course of the next year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Home

Practice the 5 r's

I will Practice the "5 Rs" — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

At Home

Repair an Item

I will repair an item, such as clothing or an appliance, for myself, a friend, family member, or neighbor.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Home

Learn the Truth about Expiration Dates

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Work

Recycling Champion

I will recycle 3 items at work and/or at home each day, making sure I review recycling program guidelines and only place accepted items that are clean, empty, and dry in the recycling bin.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

One Healthcare

One Healthcare Ecochallenge Survey

Your voice matters! Help us improve the One Healthcare Ecochallenge by taking our survey, available starting April 23rd.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health & Well-being

More Fruits and Veggies

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 2 cup(s) of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

Health & Well-being

Exercise Daily

Exercise is a great stress blaster! I will exercise for 45 minute(s) each day.

COMPLETED 28
DAILY ACTIONS

Health & Well-being

Learn About Constructive Communication

I will spend 35 minute(s) learning about constructive communication.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health & Well-being

Mindfulness / Meditation Practice

I will spend 10 minute(s) per day practicing Mindfulness and/or Meditation.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

In Our Communities

Volunteer in My Community

I will volunteer 120 hour(s) in my community during the challenge.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    One Healthcare
    Why do you donate blood?

    Sara Herr's avatar
    Sara Herr 4/23/2025 11:54 AM
    I donate blood because I am healthy enough to do it. My office is close to the blood donation center, and I schedule my appointment for 15 minutes after I leave work to make it convenient.
    The phlebotomists and staff make me feel like a super star for donating. :)
    I am O+ and the need for this blood donation is high because it is the most frequently occurring blood type (37% of the population).
    Lastly, my deceased grandfather routinely gave blood, so it makes me feel close to him and proud. I donated yesterday ;)
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    At Home
    What other steps can you take each day to heat and cool your home more efficiently?

    Sara Herr's avatar
    Sara Herr 4/23/2025 11:26 AM
    Other steps that I can do to heat my home/me more efficiently is to add layers of clothing for warmth and to make sure that my home's doors and windows are airtight. If they are not, I can add plastic over windows in the winter months, which I have done previously, or have them repaired/replaced. I use a space heater for the specific room I am occupying when my thermostat is turned down. I use a throw blanket when working or watching TV and add an extra blanket to my bed. I also monitor my furnace air filter and replace it every three months.
    When it is hot outside, I try to close window shades/curtains/blinds when there is direct sunlight to decrease the sun's intensity and reduce heat. I keep outside doors closed and decrease traffic, so air conditioning unit is not kicking on/off frequently. I do laundry and run the dishwasher at 'off peak' times to decrease the strain on my home equipment/machines and save energy.

    • Timothy Morgenthaler's avatar
      Timothy Morgenthaler 4/23/2025 1:19 PM
      This year I took a pretty drastic step an replaced all of the windows in my home with new much more energy efficient ones. The seals around the new installs are also much better. Noticeable improvement in "draftiness" and, we will see, but I bet it will be easier to cool as well.

    • Angie Yee's avatar
      Angie Yee 4/23/2025 11:48 AM
      I do a lot of the same things!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    At Work
    When did you learn about recycling? Why is recycling important to you?

    Sara Herr's avatar
    Sara Herr 4/23/2025 11:07 AM
    I learned about recycling in the early 90's in which my parents were part of a pilot recycling program in my hometown. I have been active in recycling since. It is important because we do not have many 'good' options on how to dispose of waste, so I need to do my part in trying to help the environment, economy, and community. I recycle only if I cannot reduce or reuse.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health & Well-being
    What best helped you with your mindfulness or meditation practice? Did the practice become easier over time?

    Sara Herr's avatar
    Sara Herr 4/23/2025 10:54 AM
    Meditation does get easier over time, but it takes a few minutes for me to focus and settle my mind. It is hard to do when we are working so hard to be efficient, timely, productive, and active. It helps me to focus on breathing or imagining a color wave washing over my imagination (singular color and I do not control the particular color). It is hard to remain in an open/free mind state as I need to redirect myself back sometimes. It does get easier with practice, but I am not quite at a place where it comes naturally. Work in progress.

    • Shana Maker's avatar
      Shana Maker 4/23/2025 11:02 AM
      • Reduce & Reuse Specialist 🗑
      Sounds like a great practice in progress! I enjoy the description of the color wave and think I will give it a try!

  • Sara Herr's avatar
    Sara Herr 4/18/2025 1:08 PM
    How is my One Healthcare Ecochallenge 2025 going? *double thumbs up*
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health & Well-being
    How does eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat positively affect yourself, other people, and our planet? What creative ways did you find to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet?

    Sara Herr's avatar
    Sara Herr 4/18/2025 1:06 PM
    Eating more fruit and veggies, and less meat, positively affects my health, weight, GI concerns, and cardiovascular health. It cuts down on animal cruelty/consumption, and CO2 emissions.
    Making/drinking smoothies is the easiest way to get a lot of fruit and veggies in my diet in a short period of time.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    At Home
    Which of the 5 R's was easiest for you? Which was the most difficult? How did practicing the 5 R's help you reduce more waste than recycling alone?

    Sara Herr's avatar
    Sara Herr 4/18/2025 1:01 PM
    Refuse is the easiest of the 5 R's in which I do not purchase foods that are in plastics or glass. If I refuse, then I do not have to consider the other 4 R's.

    • Paul Goodenough's avatar
      Paul Goodenough 4/18/2025 1:06 PM
      wow those are some wise words! I am having trouble with refusing sometime; but remembering the power that the "first R" has is so encouraging. Its basically a sustainability superpower!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    At Work
    Was this action easy to add to your daily routine? Why or why not?

    Sara Herr's avatar
    Sara Herr 4/18/2025 12:56 PM
    Yes, I can do this as I am packing up for the day.

  • Sara Herr's avatar
    Sara Herr 4/14/2025 8:22 AM
    I am mindful of the things that I already do that protects/aids the planet and my health, but I am more aware when I record these activities during a challenge like this.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health & Well-being
    How can you incorporate other personal values (like quality time with friends or spending time in nature) into your exercise routine?

    Sara Herr's avatar
    Sara Herr 4/09/2025 9:44 AM
    In the city I live in, we have a state-sponsored walking/biking/running trails and parks system that is maintained appropriately. It is a nice place to bike, walk/run with family and friends getting exercise, socialization, and connecting with nature.
    Additionally, you can grill food at grilling stations at local parks and host parties or gatherings with your family and friends while listening to music, having fun, and enjoying fresh air and sunshine.
    I am also fortunate to live by a Great Lake, so doing the same activities stated above along paths and at the beachfront makes exercise more fun because you are in a beautiful place surrounded by your favorite folks.