Oct. 20, 2006 — University of Utah President Michael K. Young has declared next week, Oct. 23 through 27, Wellness Week at the U. In an effort to maintain a healthy and well-informed campus community, the Student Health Center will be sponsoring the sixteenth annual Wellness Fair, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., in the Union Ballroom. The fair has traditionally been a highlight of the week because of the free samples and health screenings. Last year more than 3,000 people attended the mid-week event.
The Wellness Fair hosts more than 90 diverse groups, providing fair-goers with information that covers emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of health. Participants include organizations as diverse as One.org, Utah Poison Control, Planned Parenthood, Office of Diversity and Community Outreach and the Harm Reduction Project, an organization that offers non-judgmental education to active drug-users. Several religious groups, including Christian Science, First Unitarian and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be represented as well. Among others, campus participants include the U’s Peace Corp, Campus Recreation, Learning Enhancement Program, Center for Disability Services, University Counseling Center, the Women”s Resource Center, Career Services and the Student Health Center.
The University of Utah Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic will be providing free hearing screenings and Friends for Sight will provide free glaucoma and visual acuity testing. Conger and Green Chiropractor will be available for free orthopedic screenings. The U’s Counseling Center will provide free screenings for depression, anxiety, bipolar and post traumatic stress disorder. During the fair, ARUP Blood Services will conduct a blood drive in the front of the Union. Attendees can enjoy music from local performers and food provided by Chartwell’s.
On Oct. 28, “The Wellness 5K-Run Like Health” will begin at 9 a.m. (and ends) on the east side of the Marriott Library Plaza. This race is open to all. A one-mile walking course is being offered to participants as well. Registration is $10 in advance and $15 the day of the race. T-shirts and water bottles are provided to each participant. All proceeds will be donated to the Alternative Spring Break program to fund service-oriented spring break trips and to the Student Health Advisory Committee, a student group focused on increasing health awareness at the U. For race registration please visit www.studenthealth.utah.edu/wellness5k.
The Health and Wellness Fair and Wellness 5K are sponsored by the Student Health Advisory Committee, the Office of Health Promotion and Student Health Center, which offers an on-campus medical and wellness clinic designed specifically for students and their dependent family members.
For more information on the Health and Wellness Fair or the Wellness 5K, contact Jason Gillman at 801-585-1274.