USU Employee Wellness: New Coordinator, New Fitness Options

Caroline Shugart, who joined Utah State University as employee wellness coordinator this month, comes to the university from the health care trenches.

Shugart, who is both a registered nurse and a registered dietitian, previously worked with patients suffering from catastrophic kidney failure. “These people’s conditions forced them to be connected to dialysis machines for the rest of their lives unless a compatible kidney donor became available,” she says.

 

The experience reinforced Shugart’s commitment to preventative health care.

 

“The causes of kidney failure are varied, but roughly two-thirds are due to complications from Type 2 diabetes or hypertension,” she says. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that half of chronic diseases – including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and cancer are preventable.

 

What her experiences in health care taught her, Shugart says, is that USU employees need a climate on campus where people feel encouraged and rewarded for choosing healthy lifestyles.

 

“Just think of the incredible impact we could all have on employee benefits and health care costs by promoting wellness at USU,” she says. “We need to make ‘the healthy way, the easy way.’”

 

Shugart’s position is administered by USU’s Office of Human Resources as part of a greater effort to support and enhance the health and wellness of employees through partnerships, programs and policies for the USU community.

 

One of Shugart’s first tasks was coordinating the cleaning, painting and reorganization of USU’s newly upgraded Campus Wellness Center. The facility, formerly known as the “HPER Weight Room,” is located in room 109 in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation building. The center is open to employees, free of charge, from 6:30-7:30 a.m. and from 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. The facility features elliptical trainers, treadmills and stationary bikes as well as weight machines and free weights.

 

“Check-in requires only the logging of your A-number,” she says.

 

USU employees are also welcome to walk on the track in the Nelson Fieldhouse, free of charge, Monday-Thursday, 6 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday 6 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (Schedule is subject to change depending on the needs of USU athletic teams.)

 

“Cost for employee passes for use of the Fieldhouse’s upstairs cardio equipment and weight room has also been dramatically reduced this year,” Shugart says.

 

Cost for an annual pass for an employee is $100, or $10 per month. Passes are available through the Campus Recreation Service Desk in the HPER, Mon.-Thurs. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

 

“All members of the USU campus community are invited to join the USU Walking Club, which begins in the Fieldhouse and continues around our beautiful campus – weather permitting – each Wednesday from noon until 1 p.m.,” she says. “Participants are encouraged to come for the exercise, for conversation, to relieve stress or to enjoy some fresh air.”

 

Using Regence BlueCross BlueShield’s online wellness service at www.MyRegence.com, employees can participate in a variety of wellness programs, including documentation of their fitness activities to earn cash rewards, Shugart says.

 

Other fitness options for USU employees, some of which require fees, include lap swimming, water aerobics and yoga. A weight training class and jazzercise class will be additional offerings in January.

 

Shugart reminds employees to take advantage of the employee benefit of auditing HPER activity classes at no tuition cost.

 

“Some classes require a minimal fee, and instructor approval is required, but this is a great opportunity for employees to learn a new skill,” she says. “Classes provide the support many people need to stay motivated.”

 

USU Employee Wellness also offers the Weight Watchers at Work program, nutritional counseling and activities through the USU Student Health Center. Employee fitness assessments, coordinated with graduate students from USU’s HPER Department, are also offered.

 

Other wellness activities are also planned, including the upcoming Health and Wellness Fair on Friday, Nov. 9, in the Taggart Student Center.

 

For more information, visit the Employee Wellness Program Web site or contact Shugart at 797-0735 or caroline.shugart@usu.edu.

 

“I welcome your comments and suggestions,” Shugart says. “Go Aggies! Be Well!”

 

 

 

Contact: Caroline Shugart [caroline.shugart@usu.edu], 435-797-0735
Writer: Mary-Ann Muffoletto [maryann.muffoletto@usu.edu], 435-797-1429