THE WELLNESS FORUM
April 17, 2008

On April 17 2008, Staff Council held a forum that focused on wellness issues. The forum was co-sponsored by Human Resources and Harvard Pilgrim. It was a great success, with over 350 staff and faculty turning up midday at the Campus Center to browse a wide variety of display tables. Presenters included:

Joan Kosa Griswold - Assess to Be Your Best
http://bybhealth.com

Lynne Marie Wanamaker - Assess to Be Your Best
http://mindbodymama.com

Joan (left) is the director of Be Your Best Health Promotion Services, and Lynne (right) is a personal trainer and fitness instructor. At the forum they were conducting baseline health assessments for sit & reach flexibility, body composition, and a 3 minute step fit test.

Arden Sundari Pierce - Structural Yoga Therapist

At the forum, Arden was giving free consultations. She teaches a gentle style of yoga through Smith's Human Resources every semester and in the community. Go to HR's web site for more details: http://www.smith.edu/hr/hrdev_catalog.php

Arden is also employed at Cooley Dickinson Hospital as the pre/postnatal yoga instructor, and she offers one-on-one yoga therapy. Learn more about her services at her web site: http://yogaforwellbeing.com

Kelly Coffey '02 - Personal Trainer
http://strongcoffey.com

Kelly is a personal trainer who can help those women who have trouble finding the motivation to stay with a fitness program. Learn more about her services at her web site.

Betse Curtis - Outdoor Fitness

Betse Curtis was presenting information about outdoor fitness, whether it is cycling or hiking.

Brent Bode - "Lift It or Lose It"

Brent Bode is a Smith grad student. He conducts weight lifting workshops at the Olin Fitness Center. He can help interested Smith community members get acquainted with weight lifting. For more information ask at the Fitness Desk in the Olin Fitness Center.

J. Vaughn, LMT - Therapeutic Chair Massage
http://jvaughn.massagetherapy.com/

J. Vaughn is a Licensed Massage Therapist. He is available for for a wide variety of massages, whether for relaxation or pain management. At the forum he was giving all too short (but wonderful) chair massages along with...

Marci L. Katz - Therapeutic Chair Massage
(413) 587-0542

photo by Judith Roberge

Marci is a Massage Therapist and specializes in Swedish, Deep Tissue and Slow Passive Joint Movement. Please give her a call for more information.

Nan Bodebender - Ergonomic Computer Solutions

photo by Judith Roberge

Nan and associates were demonstrating ergonomic computer workstations.

Smith College Athletics - 5K Fall Fitness Run
https://www.smith.edu/athletics/fit5k/index.html

On September 21, 2008 the Fall Fit 5K run benefiting Northampton Educational Foundation & Smith College Athletics will take place. Join a team and start training now! 1.5 mile Fun Walk is an option as well.

Staff Council
http://www.smith.edu/staffcouncil

Alicia Guidiotti (seated at the Staff Council table) welcomes visitors to the forum.

Northampton Lions Club/District 33
http://www.lions-33y.org/clubs/northampton.html

The Northampton Lions Club had a state of the art RV on site and conducted a battery of hearing and vision screenings. They tested for hearing acuity, visual acuity, internal eye pressure, and optic nerve condition. During the forum 14 men and 55 women screened.

Of the people screened:

63 participants answered the question about diabetes in their families.

59 participants had their blood pressure screened and 10 had systolic readings above 140, two had above 170.

58 participants had their hearing tested and one couldn't hear well enough at 35 dB.

58 participants had the vision screenings,and 15 had at least one eye 20/50 or above.

Of the 39 glaucoma screenings, only one person was above 20.

Outlook Farm
http://www.outlook-farm.com

Outlook Farm has supplied Smith College with local apples and produce (when in season and available) since the 1940s. At the forum they had a wonderful selection of healthy vegetables and dips.

He also serves as a broker for other local farmers in the Valley with items such as corn and potatoes, which his farm does not grow. Both Brad from Outlook Farm and Highlawn Dairy deliver twice a week. Dining Services has 13 delivery locations, including house kitchens, the Campus Center Café, and the Smith College Club.

High Lawn Farm
http://www.highlawnfarm.com

High Lawn Farm, located in Lee, MA, was at the fair giving out samples of their milk. Their dairy has all Jersey cows. Jerseys produce milk containing 20% more calcium, 17% more protein, and no artificial rBST hormones.

Cooley Dickinson Hospital
http://www.cooley-dickinson.org

Cathy Bertinuson CDE and Diane M. Walker were presenting information on healthy eating. They were promoting the "Mediterranean Diet". While there is no single "Mediterranean Diet" aspects of the diet include:

• high consumption of fruits, vegetables, bread and other cereals, potatoes, beans, nuts and seeds
• olive oil is an important monounsaturated fat source
• dairy products, fish and poultry are consumed in low to moderate amounts, and little red meat is eaten
• eggs are consumed zero to four times a week
• wine is consumed in low to moderate amounts

American Cancer Society/Relay For Life
http://www.cancer.org

The American Cancer Society had a table set up with numerous pamphlets and brochures on cancer awareness. A student was also present advertising the Relay For Life that was held on April 19 at Amherst College.

Grecourt Bookshop
http://www.efollett.com

The Grecourt Bookshop (located in the Campus Center basement) had a display table featuring the many health related books, apparel, and supplies they provide to the Smith Community.

Human Resources
http://www.smith.edu/hr/benefits_wellness.php

photo by Judith Roberge

Human Resources cosponsored the forum, and were presenting information on their new web page promoting Health and Wellness.

Harvard Pilgrim
https://www.harvardpilgrim.org

photo by Judith Roberge

Harvard Pilgrim, cosponsor of the forum, was conducting screenings for blood pressure, bone density and glucose. They also had information on back wellness. Have you signed up for their on-line HPHConnect yet? Visit their web site to do so.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
http://www.wellnessworklife.com

The Wellness Corporation offers a comprehensive work/life web site with information on a multitude of subjects from physical and mental health, college planning, automobile and home, and financial questions, to child and elder care, and much more.

Hartford Provisions Company
http://hpcfs.com

The Hartford Provisions Company, a full-line food service distributor, was offering healthy snacks at the forum.

Polar Soda Company
http://www.polarbev.com

The Polar Soda Company provided water for the forum.

Naked Juice Company
http://www.nakedjuice.com

The Naked Juice Company was providing samples of their juices along with tee shirts.

Tropicana Juice
http://www.tropicana.com

Tropicana Juice was offering samples of their beverages.

Kraft Foods
http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf

Kraft Foods was at the forum providing samples of some of their healthier snacks