The Better Me Wellness Checks:
As part of our efforts to create a culture of wellness, we are offering a series of wellness checks intended to help faculty and staff take action and improve their health.
The Better Me Wellness Checks include a health profile questionnaire, blood pressure check & fasting blood draw.
The fasting blood draw helps employees identify their health risks for certain medical conditions and provides information on:
Cholesterol (HDL- “good” & LDL- “bad”)
Triglycerides (blood lipids)
Glucose (blood sugar)
Blood Pressure
To encourage employees to “know their numbers”, we are offering a $100 payment for participating in the biometric screening. Individuals who participate this year will receive the $100 on a paycheck in early 2014. Please note that the $100 payment is considered taxable income.
2013 Screening and Flu Shot Schedule
- November 5th 8:00am – 12:00pm in the SAU Room 1829
- November 6th 8:00am – 12:00pm in the SAU Room 1829
- November 7th 7:00am – 11:00am in the FMS Room 1260
- November 12th 8:00am – 12:00pm in the SAU Fireside Lounge
- November 13th 8:00am – 12:00pm in the SAU Room 1829
- November 14th 8:00am – 12:00pm at NTID Room 1310
- November 19th 8:00am – 12:00pm in the Campus Ctr. Room 2650
- November 20th 8:00am – 12:00pm in the SAU Fireside Lounge
- November 21st 8:00am – 12:00pm at Global Village Better Me Studio
Better Me at RIT
For the 2013- 2014 school year the Better Me Wellness Program is focusing on three critical health issues that are effecting the RIT community. They include:
- Decreasing the incidence of metabolic syndrome among RIT employees / faculty and staff.
- Reducing smoking and the use of tobacco products by RIT employees / faculty and staff.
- Lessening the impact of musculoskeletal disorders, especially low back issues identified by employees / faculty and staff.
Look for wellness initiatives throughout the year that focus on addressing these important health problems.
Employee health is very important to the Rochester Institute of Technology. The Better Me wellness program is provided for all employees and they are encouraged to explore and learn more about healthy lifestyles. See our brochure for more information.
There are many benefits to investing in an employee wellness program. We recognize that by providing employees with resources to maintain their good health and by educating employees about making personal choices that promote good health, we can help to:
- Enhance your quality of life
- Improve your effectiveness at work and at home
- Reduce unintended absences due to illness or chronic health problems
- Slow the increasing cost of health care
- Demonstrate our commitment to all employees
RIT has quickly become a leader in employee wellness, offering a strong core of wellness opportunities to our employees. RIT boasts a state-of-the-art fitness facility as well as personal training, a wide variety of fitness and wellness classes, Weight Watchers at Work, and services through Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). RIT was also a recipient of the Rochester Business Journal’s Wealth of Health Award in 2009 and 2011, underscoring our commitment to employee wellness.
How has Better Me changed your life? Submit your success story by emailing us.
Better Me Updates
Check out the latest Better Me Update here.
Small Changes Make a Big Difference
Here are some simple—and small—steps you can take toward better health and wellness:
- Step it up. Track your steps and add 2,000 steps to your daily routine. Wear a pedometer to keep track. Take the stairs instead of the elevator and walk to places close to home instead of driving.
- Make calories count. Bypass sugary sodas and reach for low fat or fat free milk instead. Milk offers more nutrients per penny than almost any other beverage option in the supermarket—providing key vitamins and minerals like calcium and vitamin D. Studies even suggest that milk drinkers tend to have healthier diets and are likely to be leaner than people who drink little or no milk. While companies have tried to duplicate milk’s benefits in manufactured beverages, none are as wholesome and naturally nutritious as milk.
- Rise and dine. Don’t skip breakfast to cut calories or time. Studies show that people who eat breakfast are most likely to maintain a healthy weight.
- Pat yourself on the back. Reward yourself for making small changes—it can motivate you to make even more.
- Set the stage for success. Create an environment that supports healthy behaviors. Stock the pantry and refrigerator with healthy foods, and keep them in front so you’ll reach for them first. Keep a pair of walking shoes in your office so you can take that walk at lunch—or even better—recruit a co-worker to walk with you. You’re much more likely to succeed with a buddy.