The Philosophy of Health and Wellness at Chatham Hall

6/17/2026

A Conversation with Lauren Soltesz, RN, Interim Director of the Health Care Center

When you think about preparing young women to live healthy lives beyond Chatham Hall, what does that mean to you philosophically? How does that vision come to life through the work of the Health Care Center and the broader student experience?

Philosophically, preparing the young women of Chatham Hall to live healthy lives beyond these walls means helping them shift their mindset from passive young girls to young women who take active ownership of their health.

When a student arrives at Chatham Hall, her health has largely been managed by her parents or guardians throughout her life. She is given curfews for sleep, told what to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and reminded when she needs to see doctors and dentists. If she leaves Chatham Hall still relying on that young-girl framework, we haven't done our job.

To me, true health education means helping young women realize that their bodies are their most precious earthly possessions, and that they are their primary caretakers. Lifelong wellness isn't a destination or a restriction; it's an act of self-respect and the literal fuel required to power their intellect, leadership, and dreams.

In our Health Care Center and across the broader Chatham Hall experience, this vision comes to life by shifting from a "fixing" mentality to a "preventing" mentality, practicing self-advocacy in safe spaces, and teaching the structured habits needed for the future. We encourage students to stop viewing healthcare as purely reactive. Instead, they learn to view the choices they make today as investments in their future selves.

In practice, when a student comes into the HCC with a headache, we don't simply hand her Tylenol or ibuprofen and send her back to class. We ask questions such as, "How much water have you had today?" "What have you eaten?" and "Is there anything happening in your classes or dorm that may be causing stress?" Our nurses use these moments as opportunities to help students connect their daily habits to their physical symptoms and understand how their choices influence outcomes. These conversations teach an important lesson: preventative care begins long before a doctor's appointment.

This approach also develops the critical life skill of medical self-advocacy, something many people do not learn until they face a crisis. The nurses in the HCC encourage students to articulate what they are feeling in their own words. When discussing treatment options, we include students in the conversation and ask for their input. If they need to see an outside physician for an illness or an orthopedist for a sports-related injury, we explain why the visit is necessary and help them formulate questions to ask. In doing so, we help them develop the confidence and skills they will need to navigate healthcare independently in the future.

Wellness at Chatham Hall is not only taught in health classes; it is woven into the everyday life of our community. Students learn to balance the rigor of advanced courses with the physical and creative outlets provided by afternoon activities, whether that's riding at the barn, competing on our athletic fields, dancing, performing in theater productions, or participating in robotics. They practice making informed nutritional choices in the dining hall, learning how to balance proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats to maintain steady energy throughout a demanding day. Our community schedule also creates dedicated time for rest, reflection, and personal well-being, allowing students to practice the critical art of setting healthy boundaries.

When our Chatham Hall seniors walk across the stage at graduation, they carry more than a diploma. They carry the quiet confidence of young women who know how to read their bodies' signals, advocate for high-quality care, and build lives that are healthy and sustainable. Long after they leave the hills and pastures of Chatham Hall, those habits remain, ensuring that whatever brilliant path they choose, they have the health, vitality, and resilience to pursue it with confidence and purpose.

One of the most important transitions young women make is learning to take ownership of their own well-being. How do you help students develop the knowledge, confidence, and self-awareness to navigate their health independently?

The transition from having a parent manage your doctor appointments to stepping into the world as an independent adult can feel incredibly daunting. When a student arrives at Chatham Hall, she is often accustomed to having an adult translate her symptoms for her, saying, "She has a stomachache," or "She didn't sleep well." One of our primary missions in the HCC is to step back and give the voice directly to the student.

We view the HCC as a safe, supportive practice field for developing medical independence. That independence begins with understanding how your own body works. When a student comes into the HCC, we don't simply hand her a remedy; we encourage her to describe what she is experiencing in her own words. Medical terminology can feel intimidating, almost like a foreign language, to students when they are sitting in a doctor's office. Our goal is to teach them how to communicate effectively with healthcare professionals so they feel confident and empowered in those situations.

We also live in an era of TikTok health trends and algorithm-driven medical advice. A significant part of health independence today is digital health literacy, knowing how to separate sound medical science from viral marketing. We teach students how to recognize red-flag claims and understand that the word "natural" does not always mean safe. We encourage them to ask questions, seek evidence, consider potential side effects, and think critically about how a recommendation may interact with their unique needs before following the latest trend.

This confidence is not built overnight. It develops through repeated, successful experiences and opportunities to practice self-advocacy. We work to build students' independence gradually, ensuring they never feel as though they have been thrown into the deep end without a life vest.

Over time, these seemingly small interventions become powerful lessons. They help students leave Chatham Hall with the awareness, confidence, and skills needed to navigate their own healthcare. More importantly, they leave knowing how to trust themselves, communicate openly with medical professionals, and make informed, thoughtful decisions that support their lifelong well-being.

Many Chatham Hall students are balancing demanding academic schedules, leadership responsibilities, athletics, and social commitments. How do you help students understand the connection between physical health, performance, and overall well-being?

When students are balancing advanced classes, running an Honor Council meeting, heading straight to the turf for practice or the studio for dance, and trying to maintain a social life, it can feel as though there simply are not enough hours in the day. When girls come into the HCC exhausted or overwhelmed, they often view these commitments as a lose-lose situation—as though they must sacrifice their physical health in order to achieve their academic, athletic, and leadership goals.

Our job in the HCC isn't simply to hand them ibuprofen; it's to help them flip the script. Physical health is not a distraction from success—it is the foundation of it. We strive to teach the core habits of sleep, nutrition, hydration, movement, recovery, and stress management, not simply to help students survive the semester, but to provide a blueprint for lifelong well-being.

When a student tells me she pulled an all-nighter to memorize material for a quiz or exam, I often explain that it's like trying to write on a full chalkboard. If she doesn't sleep, her brain cannot effectively absorb and store information. Getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night is not a sign of slacking off; it's an active strategy for stronger academic performance. Sleep is one of the most powerful tools students have for learning, memory retention, and decision-making.

In a high-achieving environment like Chatham Hall, it's also common to see students skip breakfast because they're rushing to morning meetings or classes, or relying on caffeine to get through the day. I try to remind them that food is fuel, not just calories. A brain running on a sugary energy drink or multiple cups of coffee is likely to crash in the middle of an important afternoon class, athletic practice, or leadership responsibility. We encourage students to choose balanced meals that include healthy proteins and complex carbohydrates to maintain steady energy and focus. Stable blood sugar often translates to greater concentration, improved mood, and fewer emotional ups and downs throughout the day.

Our girls are incredibly active, but they sometimes view movement solely through the lens of performance or competition. We encourage them to think about movement as a form of recovery and regulation as well. After spending hours in class or stressing over a major assignment, a brisk walk through Chatham Hall's beautiful campus, time outdoors, or even a simple stretching routine can significantly impact both physical and mental well-being. Movement helps reduce cortisol levels, improve mood, and clear mental fog. However, movement requires an equally important partner: recovery. Rest days are not signs of weakness; they are how both muscles and minds rebuild stronger.

Stress is not just a feeling—it manifests physically as well. Students often come to the HCC with headaches, upset stomachs, anxiety, shortness of breath, or feelings of chest tightness without realizing that stress may be contributing to their symptoms. We try to teach our students that their bodies are incredibly intelligent and often provide early warning signs when something is out of balance. If they do not make time for rest, proper sleep, nutrition, and recovery, their bodies will eventually force them to slow down. One of our goals is to help students recognize those warning signs early, before they reach the point of burnout.

By teaching students to prioritize sleep, nutrition, recovery, and stress management as essential components of excellence, we are helping them graduate not only as capable scholars and leaders, but also as resilient, healthy young women who know how to care for themselves sustainably in a demanding world.

Preventive health is often something people appreciate more as they get older. What are some of the most important preventative health practices you hope students carry with them into adulthood, and why do they matter?

It is true that when you are 16, 17, or 18 years old, you often feel somewhat invincible. Preventative health can seem like something your parents worry about or a chapter in a textbook. As nurses, however, we view the HCC as a safe learning environment where students are not only treated for their symptoms but are also learning and practicing the foundational skills of self-care. Whether speaking with current students or alumnae returning to campus, my greatest hope is that they leave Chatham Hall understanding that health is not simply the absence of illness—it is a resource that must be actively protected and nurtured.

One of the most important concepts we teach is becoming the expert on your own baseline health. This means paying attention to your body, tracking symptoms, and recognizing when something feels different. In many ways, you have to become your own detective. We tell our students that one of the most powerful tools they possess is knowing what "normal" feels like for their own bodies. Early detection is the cornerstone of preventative medicine. Recognizing a subtle change and scheduling an appointment before it becomes an emergency can dramatically influence health outcomes.

Sleep is often the first thing sacrificed in pursuit of success. Yet chronic sleep deprivation affects far more than energy levels. Over time, it can impact metabolic health, weaken the immune system, and increase the risk of long-term cardiovascular issues. Sleep is not a luxury or a reward for finishing your work—it is a biological necessity. Establishing a consistent sleep-wake schedule, even on weekends, supports brain health, helps regulate stress hormones, and strengthens the body's ability to fight illness before it takes hold.

Our students spend a great deal of time outdoors on Chatham Hall's beautiful campus, walking between classes, competing in athletics, or riding at the barn. It can be easy to think about sunscreen only when heading to the beach, but skin damage is cumulative. Skin cancer remains one of the most common forms of cancer, yet it is also one of the most preventable. Applying a broad-spectrum SPF each day is not simply about avoiding wrinkles; it is a proactive form of preventative medicine that protects against long-term cellular damage. It is a simple habit that takes less than a minute but can provide benefits for decades to come.

When students leave the structure of the dining hall and begin feeding themselves in college and beyond, convenience often becomes the deciding factor. Preventative nutrition is not about restrictive dieting; it is about giving your body the resources it needs to function optimally and reduce chronic inflammation. The foods we eat help build our cells, support our microbiomes, and influence our energy levels. Prioritizing whole foods, colorful fruits and vegetables, and consistent hydration can serve as a protective shield against chronic conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and hypertension later in life. Ultimately, it is about eating for how you want to feel tomorrow, not simply satisfying a craving in the moment.

Just as we schedule annual physicals, we must also intentionally check in on our mental health. We encourage students to understand that seeking support, engaging in therapy, or learning stress-management techniques when things are relatively stable is often far more effective than waiting until a crisis occurs. Chronic, unmanaged stress can take a significant toll on the body, contributing to digestive issues, weakened immunity, cardiovascular strain, and countless other health concerns. Learning to set boundaries, practice mindfulness, and seek support early can prevent emotional exhaustion from becoming physical illness.

Every time you schedule a routine annual exam, apply sunscreen, choose a balanced meal, or log off early to get eight hours of sleep, you are making an investment in your future self. You are ensuring that the brilliant, capable woman you are becoming will have the strength, vitality, and resilience to pursue her goals, lead with purpose, and make an impact on the world for many years to come.

Looking ahead, how do you hope the Health Care Center continues to support and educate students in an ever-changing world? If a Chatham Hall alumna reflects on her time here 20 years from now, what do you hope she remembers about the school's approach to health and wellness, and what do you hope she carries with her for life?

Looking ahead, the role of the Health Care Center is evolving into something far greater than a nurse's office that treats acute illnesses. In an ever-changing world, where students face an increasingly digital landscape, shifting global dynamics, and rising societal pressures, the future of healthcare at Chatham Hall is rooted in holistic, proactive integration.

We have moved wellness out of a silo. Through the Wagoner-LaDuke Center for Athletics, Health, and Wellness, we have intentionally and visibly bridged the gap between physical health, mental health, and daily living. Moving forward, our priorities center on this intersection. We are focusing heavily on preventative care, mental wellness, and the relationship between personal health and the environments in which we live, learn, and grow.

We are not waiting until students graduate to teach the skills required for adult health management. Throughout their years at Chatham Hall, we help students develop health literacy by teaching them how to navigate health insurance, evaluate the credibility of health information online, understand medication safety, and recognize the risks associated with popular wellness trends and heavily marketed products, including synthetic energy drinks.

We have also integrated full-time counseling services into our student support model, allowing us to proactively teach social-emotional resilience, healthy communication, and conflict resolution. Our students learn how to manage digital fatigue, establish healthy boundaries with technology, and protect their mental well-being before the demands of modern life begin to take a toll on their nervous systems, sleep patterns, and overall health.

Even our facility reflects these values. The Wagoner-LaDuke Center utilizes geothermal systems and maximizes natural light, reinforcing the idea that environmental health and personal health are deeply connected. We want students to understand that wellness is influenced not only by what happens inside their bodies, but also by the spaces and communities in which they live.

If a Chatham Hall alumna pauses to reflect on her time here two decades from now, my deepest hope is that she doesn't simply remember the physical space of the Health Care Center. I hope she remembers the philosophy of care she experienced within it. I hope she remembers that when she walked through our doors, she was treated as a whole person, never just a collection of symptoms. I hope she remembers a community where taking a rest day was viewed as an act of strategy, not weakness.

Most of all, I hope she remembers the message we tried to instill in her throughout her time as a "Turtle": Only you can take care of yourself. Find what you need for self-care and make it a priority. You are worth taking care of.

Ultimately, the true measure of a Chatham Hall education is not simply the prestigious colleges our graduates attend or the leadership titles they accumulate. It is the quality of life they sustain while pursuing those ambitions. We are sending young women into the world equipped with an internal compass for wellness. Twenty years from now, whether she is leading a corporation, managing a laboratory, running a nonprofit, or guiding her own family, she will carry with her the habits of proactive health stewardship. She will know how to listen to her body's subtle warning signs, protect her pace, and fuel her ambitions sustainably.

The enduring legacy of Chatham Hall is that our alumnae do not simply graduate prepared to make an impact; they graduate with the vitality, self-respect, and resilience required to sustain that impact for decades to come.

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The Philosophy of Health and Wellness at Chatham Hall

A Conversation with Lauren Soltesz, RN, Interim Director of the Health Care Center

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