ASU health
program helps improve employee wellness, fitness
When the state of North Carolina adopted its Worksite
Wellness Policy in February, Appalachian State University was
ahead of the game.
Appalachian State University
employees combine weight lifting and balance training
in a BOSU class offered by the university’s Health
Promotion for Faculty and Staff program. Appalachian has
had an on-site, health and fitness program for its employees
since the mid-1980s. Photo
by University Photographer Marie Freeman
Appalachian’s program, called Health Promotion for Faculty
and Staff, has provided activities, work environments and policies
that support the health and well-being of university employees
since the mid-1980s.
“It’s the only program of its kind in the University
of North Carolina system that specifically targets faculty, staff,
retirees and spouses,” said director Sherri Wilson, who has
directed the program since 2004.
Health Promotion offers blood pressure, skin cancer, diabetes,
vision, cholesterol and mammography screenings, as well as fitness
exercise classes. The office also helps coordinate an annual health
and benefits fair for university employees. “People really
like the convenience of our on-site health screenings and the
time they save in travel to and from a physician’s appointment,”
Wilson said.
She estimates the program serves 65 percent of campus employees.
With only three full-time employees and two part-time exercise
leaders, Health Promotion relies on university volunteers to offer
programs and activities, such as line dancing, aqua-aerobic exercise,
Pilates, Tai Chi and group hiking.
The office also offers workstation analyses and special programs
on topics such as prenatal healthcare and injury prevention.
“Many of the university employees come here because their
doctors recommend they get more exercise or have their blood pressure
monitored regularly,” Wilson said.
The Health Promotion facility is located in the lower level of
Varsity Gym and includes exercise rooms with treadmills, rowers,
elliptical machines and stationary bikes for low-impact aerobic
workouts. Other rooms have free weights and weight machines for
upper- and lower-body workouts.
“Our participants really enjoy the many facets our program
offers, including personal one-on-one fitness instruction, lunch
and learn programs and the social interaction they have with other
employees.”
John Whitehead, a professor in Appalachian’s Department of
Economics, signed up for an exercise class as part of a Health
Promotion incentive program three years ago, and has been going
ever since. “As you participate, you learn more about your
exercise routine and things that will help you get out of a rut,”
he said. “There is also a community of people there you see
most every time and that helps you get through your workout.”
Health Promotion is an affiliate of Appalachian’s Institute
of Health and Human Services.
“I get feedback periodically from faculty and staff across
campus that reflects how meaningful these programs are,”
IHHS director John Turner said. “It is very gratifying to
be associated with an institution devoted to addressing as many
of the needs of our employees as possible.”
Get Firefox