Campus News

A Healthier USC

On Friday, January 20, 2012 the Wellness USC programme held its second graduation ceremony, and 20 graduates were given certificates of commitment and participation, and medals of completion.  This programme was designed by the USC Health Services Department. It was launched on February 11, 2011.

The second (12-week) session started with 27 participants in October 2011. It focused on 5 aspects: counselling, with the Counselling Services Department; spirituality, with Campus Ministries; health, with the University Health Services; fitness, with the Sports and Physical Education Department, and nutrition, with the Family and Consumer Sciences Department. Participants were encouraged to visit the various departments for one-on-one meetings, and lecture series on a variety of health related topics.

The ceremony’s guest speaker, Dr. Sandaval, a missionary doctor at Community Hospital, said that it is wise to choose healthy living, live above such modern pitfalls as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, lack of exercise, obesity and diabetes.  Therefore, the Wellness Programme focuses on the aforementioned health traps, as well as weight loss and weight gain, and the different food groups. It strives to help participants understand the things they eat, and why.

At the programme’s launch, its initiator, Dr Patricia Gardner, said that “the programme is here to stay.” And its new director, Mr. Leroy Pierre, is determined to continue the life-changing programme, and that it continues to be available to interested faculty and staff.  Mr Fiedtkou, a participant and recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award, testified that he was so impressed with the programme that he encouraged others to make similar changes in their lifestyles. Registration for the next session is January 30 – February 10, and it is scheduled to start March 5, 2012.