CHCS - Perspectives Winter/Spring 2016

COLLEGE OF HEALTH CARE SCIENCES • 43 (treasurer). The current officers, who are all class of 2017 D.P.T. members, are Chantel Evanson (president), Kathleen Chavez (vice president), Robert Rojas (secre- tary), Rebecca Kilgore (treasurer), and Jazmin Perry (public relations and entertainment director). “In addition to physical therapy, health and wellness have always been passions of mine,” said Evanson, current HNW Club president, about why she was inspired to play a pivotal role in the club. “In 2014, I embarked on my own fitness journey, and in doing so, my existing passion for it grew even stronger. The commitment, consistency, and dedication that it took made me work even harder to be the best physical therapy tech and student I could be. I want us, as health care professionals, to take responsibil- ity for our own health and fitness to lead others in doing the same. That is why I want to be a part of the club.” Chavez, who serves as the club’s vice president, echoed Evanson’s sentiments. “The objectives behind the Health and Wellness Club are to promote a healthy lifestyle, which is also the objective of the physical therapy profession,” she said. “I would really like to have people more engaged and learning new ways to have fun with fitness. Moving forward, our main goal is to reach all the disciplines on campus.” Remaining true to its objectives since its inception, the HNW Club has sponsored events such as Workout Wednesdays and Fitness Fridays that included on-campus fitness screenings by a certified personal trainer, a golf outing, and on-campus yoga and Zumba sessions for students and faculty and staff members. Each month, the club attempts to rally participation through the use of fun and incentive-driven challenges to increase overall physical, spiritual, and emotional/ mental health. For example, the club promotes increased physical activity and exercise during the month of March by challenging students and faculty and staff members to engage in an individualized event called 10 Miles or 10 Workouts. All participants were encouraged to join the HNWMapMyRun website to log their miles and activities during a specified timeframe during the month. In April, the club challenges individuals to increase their health through the increased use of the on-campus fitness center and participation in at least one of several suggested occupational, social, financial, and spiritual health opportunities. The club has also sponsored two campus Fun Runs. Future events envisioned by the club include a biggest loser challenge encouraging healthy weight loss through exercise and proper diet, continued club-led Fun Runs, and sponsorship of guest speakers on various health and wellness topics. The takeaway message from the HNW Club is that overall health requires individuals to be attentive to their whole being. As future health care practitioners, these students know that, as Benjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Further, the club reminds us that health care practitioners should “walk the talk” and inspire others to strive for better health and fitness. ■