Expo to support student health
The USU Wellness and Benefits Expo — a joint effort between Human Resources and Student Services — will feature interactive booths, displays and health screenings in the TSC International Lounge on Tuesday, Jan. 31.
According to Ryan Barfuss, Wellness Center prevention specialist, the USU Health and Wellness Center seeks to build on growth and success of previous years’ events.
“In years past, both Human Resources and Student Services organized separate health fairs, which was a bit of a hassle for the vendors we work with to come to campus twice,” Barfuss said. “Our two offices decided to collaborate and host one expo and make the experience better for everyone.
“We have chosen to do it at the beginning of the year, which we feel is a good opportunity to help people keep any New Year’s resolutions and to find how they can utilize what resources are available both on campus and in the community.”
Dayna Barrett, Human Resources wellness coordinator, said preparation for the event, including planning and contacting vendors, has been underway since approximately August 2011.
“With the Wellness and Benefits Expo, I hope people can get plenty of information and find out something about themselves they didn’t already know,” Barrett said. “We’re going to have plenty of resources available, which people might not normally have access to, including glucose level, body mass index and diabetes testing booths,” she said.
Barfuss said the expo is designed to promote healthy lifestyles for the long run.
“What we’re really seeking is to help people achieve balance,” Barfuss said. “Not everyone is a marathon runner. We’re promoting lasting wellness rather than short-term diets and solutions, in a variety of areas, including physical, emotional, spiritual and financial wellness.”
Though health resources on campus and in the community are available to students, not all students may be fully aware of how they can take advantage of these services.
Spencer Starley, a junior majoring in biology, said he was introduced to some of the health services on campus while attending the Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) program.
“I remember hearing about the Health and Wellness Center at SOAR, but it was never anything I thought a lot about,” Starley said. “I have only ever used it once for a tuberculosis test. I don’t really think it’s a resource students take advantage of.”
Barrett said many students don’t realize how useful on-campus health resources can be.
“For the most part, I don’t think students really know what’s available to them — how convenient it is and how competitive the costs and benefits are,” Barrett said. “Why not go use the Fieldhouse or the Health and Wellness Center? You’re already paying for it.”
Among the amenities provided to students in return for their student fees are the Student Health and Wellness Center, north of the Stadium and the Fieldhouse exercise facilities.
“If people realized what is available, I feel they would use it more, especially understanding the competitiveness of the prices,” Barfuss said, echoing Barrett’s sentiments. “Many of our services at the Wellness Center are available at cost. So, for example, if a student came in needing stitches, all they would be charged for is the price of the suture kit.
A misconception regarding the staff at the Health and Wellness Center is that it’s made up of “doctors in training,” he said.
“The fact is, we have fully licenced medical professionals, with many years of experience, providing a wide range of services like prevention care, such as flu shots, women’s health services, mental health and counseling services and dietitians,” Barfuss added.
Barfuss said he advocates for dissemination of a higher level of awareness for individual health and is counting on the upcoming Health and Wellness Expo to facilitate that awareness. Barrett agreed.
“The benefit of addressing health issues as early as possible totally outweighs any cost,” Barrett said. “It’s hard for people to see long term, but problems like diabetes creep up so gradually without us knowing.”
“Every new health expo we put on presents plenty of neat, new information for me and I hope our guests gain something new as well,” Barfuss said. “A healthy student is a good student. And I think finding the right balance with your wellness is just as an important as any academic lesson students are gaining from the university.”
– timothyjbarber@gmail.com