WellBama is hosting a free, voluntary health screening open to all eligible faculty and staff members employed by the University in an effort to help promote good health and wellness within the community.
“WellBama is designed to promote health and improve the quality of life for all UA employees,” said Dr. Melondie Carter, ambassador within the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness. “It is a free, personalized program for employees that includes health screenings and coaching. Financial incentives are available.”
There will be a health screening from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15 at the Bryant Conference Center.
According to WellBama’s site, they help encourage University employees to make healthy eating choices. They also provide health coaches, upon request, that will work with employees to create a program that suits their individual nutritional needs. By providing personally tailored exercises given by assigned health coaches, WellBama strives to strengthen its community through physical activity.
The WellBama site also provides information on how the program will equip its employees with the tools for improving their physical endurance. WellBama also gives participants the option to improve their mental health through stress management. Their program entitled “Mindfulness & Meditation” is a three-part meeting to be offered early next spring. Those who choose to partake in this program will learn relaxation tips and tactics through the medium of yoga.
Heather Clayton, coordinator within the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness, is also a WellBama member and believes there are many components to achieving overall good health.
“WellBAMA explores the source of the stress problem for an individual to address any contributing factors, but also provides resources for stress management, the Employee Assistance Program,” Clayton said. “A sleep and stress program will be available in November this year to educate on the importance of sleep health and stress management. Participants will track habits, learn ways to lower stress and cope, as well as access to group education sessions and free yoga sessions.”
Clayton said WellBama also has a rewards system. Rewards are granted based on club level and range from Crimson, Gold and Silver. Regardless of an employee’s club level, employees are encouraged to participate in a variety of different group and individual activities. As employees improve their health, they progress in the club. Members could earn anywhere from $25 to $200 based of their level and longevity of participation.
“Rewards values are based on the club status determined from the WellBama health screening,” Clayton said. “If health values improve throughout the year, the participant has the ability to update improvements to their health information, which could improve their overall Reward value.”
Clayton said that additionally, there will be a WellBama exercise initiative, “Quad in Motion,” which students and faculty will be permitted to attend.
For a detailed schedule of future health screenings, group sessions and activities, visit http://wellness.ua.edu/wellbama/.
