Wake Forest University
PA-13: Wellness Program

Wake Forest University provides a Healthy Exercise & Lifestyle Program which is a 12-week chronic disease prevention program offered to faculty and staff at no cost. This program helps determine risk of chronic disease, assesses physical activity level and dietary habits, and develops an individualized exercise, nutrition and behavioral change plan. In 2017, the university implemented a new program specific to weight loss for qualifying full-time faculty and staff. Annual smoking cessation classes are offered to all full-time, part-time, and temporary faculty and staff. Participation includes a 6-week tobacco cessation class and access to FDA-approved prescription tobacco cessation products and over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies for participants enrolled in most medical plans. Those participants not enrolled in a medical plan may receive a $150 benefit toward tobacco cessation products. Each year a mobile mammography unit is brought to campus to greatly increase access to mammography screening throughout the community. Wake Forest sponsors free flu shots for all faculty, staff, and retirees. Spouses, partners, and dependent children enrolled in the University’s BlueCross BlueShield medical plan are invited to participate in the flu shot clinics. Wake Forest provides an Employee Assistance Program free of charge to all faculty and staff and their immediate family members. The EAP is a confidential service that provides assistance with a wide range of concerns such as family/marital problems, emotional and mental distress (anxiety, grief, and depression), and stress at home or work. The university also provides free and confidential counseling services to our students through the University Counseling Center. The Professional Development Center offers a health and wellness educational series presented by WFU faculty and community experts. Topics include dealing with anxiety, learning coping skills, humor and mental health, nutrition planning and supplements, exercise as a stress reliever, and wellness approaches to living. In 2013, the university launched it's campus-wide wellbeing program, Thrive. This program encompasses faculty, students, and staff members and supports the eight dimensions of wellbeing: emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, social, physical, and spiritual. Since then, the Wellbeing office has continued to promote the Thrive program across campus.