WINDOW ROCK — Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren met with Kelly Wood, founder of Thrive Modern Wellness, on December 10 to discuss a proposed zero-cost wellness program designed to strengthen employee health, morale, and long-term well-being across the Navajo Nation.
Wood outlined how Thrive Modern Wellness provides proactive wellness programming that complements existing health benefits at no cost to employers or employees. The program, currently implemented by municipalities, schools, and businesses, operates through a compliant payroll tax structure that allows cost savings to be reinvested directly into employee wellness initiatives.
Also participating in the meeting were Haley Laughter, founder of Hózhó Total Wellness; Terra Brewer, Thrive Advocate with SBI Giving; and Sherylene Yazzie, executive director of the Navajo Nation Division of Health. Together, they discussed a holistic wellness model that combines educational programming with access to modern wellness technologies, including red light therapy, saunas, and recovery-focused services. Additional offerings include yoga, breathwork, stress-reduction sessions, and culturally grounded wellness practices designed to support employees and their families.
President Nygren expressed strong interest in the program’s potential to enhance existing employee benefits while emphasizing preventive care and whole-person wellness. The discussion included strategic planning considerations, such as the possibility of establishing a flagship wellness center in Window Rock and expanding access to communities like Kayenta and Tuba City.
Participants also explored opportunities to align the program with existing Navajo Nation wellness resources, coordinate efficiently with human resources and payroll systems, and establish standardized operating procedures to ensure accountability and long-term sustainability.
“Our workforce is the backbone of the Nation,” said President Nygren. “A wellness program that strengthens their health — at no cost — is an investment in their families, their futures, and our communities.”
The meeting concluded with a discussion of next steps, including a phased rollout and a potential launch aligned with the start of the new year, reflecting a shared commitment to supporting employee well-being and building healthier Navajo Nation communities.
