Wellness Programs

About Wellness

Wellness is a lifelong journey. It is an active process of making choices and commitments that enhance the quality of life and maximize personal potential. Employee Health & Well-being wellness philosophy emphasizes the need for individuals to engage in behaviors that develop optimal health and to support others in their wellness journey. Our programs are built from the National Wellness Institute's six dimensions of wellness model.

Dimensions of Wellness

Social Dimension

The social dimension encourages contributing to one's environment and community. It emphasizes the interdependence between others and nature. Social wellness follows these tenets:

It is better to contribute to the common welfare of our community than to think only of ourselves

It is better to live in harmony with others and our environment than to live in conflict with them

Occupational Dimension

The occupational dimension recognizes personal satisfaction and enrichment in one's life through work. Occupational wellness follows these tenets:

It is better to choose a career that is consistent with our personal values, interest and beliefs than to select one that is unrewarding to us

It is better to develop functional, transferable skills through structured involvement opportunities than to remain inactive and uninvolved

Spiritual

The spiritual dimension recognizes our search for meaning and purpose in human existence. Spiritual wellness follows these tenets:

It is better to ponder the meaning of life for ourselves and to be tolerant of the beliefs of others than to close our minds and become intolerant

It is better to live each day in a way that is consistent with our values and beliefs than to do otherwise and feel untrue to ourselves

Physical

The physical dimension recognizes the need for regular physical activity. Physical wellness follows these tenets:

• It is better to consume foods and beverages that enhance good health rather than those which impair it
• It is better to be physically fit than out of shape

Intellectual

The intellectual dimension recognizes one's creative, stimulating mental activities. Intellectual wellness follows these tenets:

• It is better to stretch and challenge our minds with intellectual and creative pursuits than to become self-satisfied and unproductive
• It is better to identify potential problems and choose appropriate courses of action based on available information than to wait, worry and contend with major concerns later

Emotional

The emotional dimension recognizes awareness and acceptance of one's feelings. Emotional wellness follows these tenets:

• It is better to be aware of and accept our feelings than to deny them
• It is better to be optimistic in our approach to life than pessimistic

Meet the Wellness Team

• Bill Baun, MS, EPD, FAWHP – Manager, Wellness Programs
• Michele Nelson-Housley, BS – Program Coordinator   
• Corinna Perez, BS - Program Coordinator
• Terrick Smith, BA - Program Coordinator
• Vicki Piper, BS, RD, LD – Employee Wellness Dietitian

How Can You Get More Involved in Helping Our Wellness Culture Grow?

The wellness program has a group of volunteers that helps guide its success and ensure that the programs are meeting the needs and interest of employees. If you are looking for a way to get more involved, this group might be just right for you. 

Wellness Champs

EH&WB recruits employees to help spread the Wellness word. Wellness Champs help disseminate marketing fliers, assist at Wellness events and post Wellness information on departmental bulletin boards. Champs meet three times a year, and members serve for a one-year commitment.

If this volunteer opportunity sounds exciting and you're looking for a way to join the “movement” please call (713) 745-WELL (9355) or e-mail askacoach@mdanderson.org for more information. 

Major Program Areas

The employee wellness program focuses on five core components, which offer a wide assortment of activities and events for employees to gain and maintain better health and well-being.

Five Core Program Components

Physical Activity

Are you looking for a jump-start to your exercise routine? EH&WB has fitness professionals on staff that can personalize a program to help you meet your fitness goals.

• Houston Main Building Exercise Room
• Exercise Classes
• Individual or Family Personal Fitness Training
• Yoga Classes
• Healthy Back Class
• Commit to Get Fit
• Speed Up Your Metabolism Workshop

Diet and Nutrition

Would you like some help sorting through all of the latest dieting trends? If you’re ready to begin a healthy approach to eating, EH&WB has on-staff dietitians who can design a tailored food program that fits your lifestyle, food preferences and weight goals.

• Diet
• Individual or Family Coach Counseling
• Commit to Get Fit
• Pyramid Plate
• Speed Up Your Metabolism Workshop
• Med Gem Resting Metabolic Test
• Grocery Store Tours

Parenting

Balancing work life with family life often can be a challenge. EH&WB offers up-to-date resources on parenting and kids health.

• KidsHealth
• Working Mother’s Lactation Rooms

Stress

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of stress is one of the first things you can do to seek relief. EH&WB has a variety of options for employees to develop stress management techniques and to find stress relief tools in the workplace.

• Individual or Family Coach Counseling
• Stress and Stress Resilience Workshops
• Stress Busters Elliptical Machines
• Precor Stretch Trainers
• Chair Massage Therapy

Tobacco

An integrated program provides support and the tools to help you quit smoking or discontinue the use of tobacco products. Behavioral counseling and nicotine replacement products (three months free supply) are available to employees to assist with this behavioral change.

• Individual or Family Coach Counseling
• SmokeFree Support Group
• Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Chronic Disease Management

Nobody wants to have a chronic long-term illness, but most of us will have two or more of these conditions during our lives. Health is soundness of body and mind, and a healthy life is one which seeks that soundness. A healthy way to live with a chronic illness is to work at overcoming the physical and emotional problems and challenges caused by the disease. You will not find miracles or cures below, but you will find tips and ideas to make your life easier and learn how many people like you have learned to positively manage their illnesses.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas has provided M. D. Anderson employees a Healthy Living website that provides up-to-date information on four chronic disease conditions: asthma, congestive heart, diabetes and hypertension. Below is a brief overview of these conditions. Please visit the website for additional information.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic, non-contagious inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by episodes of coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and difficult breathing. Patients and their physicians can control asthma with treatment.

An estimated 15 million Americans suffer from asthma — one-third being children and adolescents.

What Is Congestive Heart Failure?

Congestive heart failure (CHF), also known as heart failure, is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body's other organs and tissues. Congestive heart failure can be controlled with medicine and lifestyle changes.

CHF is a serious condition affecting an estimated two million Americans and resulting in average mortality rates of 10% at one year after diagnosis and 50% after five years.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition of too much glucose (a form of sugar) in the blood, which harms the body's organs and tissues, caused by either a lack of the hormone insulin or poor utilization of insulin. Insulin, produced in the pancreas (an organ found behind the stomach), helps the body use sugars and starches for energy. Diabetes can be controlled with oral medication and/or insulin, as well as with diet and exercise.

There are 18.2 million people in the United States who have diabetes. While an estimated 13 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 5.2 million people are unaware that they have the disease.

What Is Hypertension?

Hypertension, also called high blood pressure, is systolic blood pressure (top number) of 140 or higher and/or a diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) of 90 or higher, which remains high over time. People with hypertension have an increased risk of heart or kidney disease, or stroke. Heart disease is the No. 2 killer in the United States, and stroke is the most common cause of death. A physician’s treatment plan, which might include medication, exercise and diet modifications, can help control high blood pressure.

As many as 50 million Americans age six and older have hypertension. Of these people, 35% don’t know they have it and 52% do not receive treatment.

CEO Cancer Gold Standard

The CEO Cancer Gold Standard initiatives are designed to reduce the cancer burden in the United States, and to provide help and support to employees and their family members who are dealing with a diagnosis of cancer. The standards challenge us to maintain a culture of prevention, to consistently offer high quality cancer benefits and programs and to measure our progress against established baselines, so that we can continuously improve.

The standard focuses on five critical areas: (1) tobacco use, (2) physical activity, (3) diet and nutrition, (4) screening and early detection and (5) access to quality treatment and clinical trials.

Tobacco Cessation

We are challenged to maintain smoke-free facilities and grounds; enforce no-smoking policies and make the policies familiar to employees, patients and visitors; provide information to current smokers about the health risks of smoking and direct them to smoking cessation support.

Physical Activity

We are challenged to develop a culture that promotes and rewards a physically active workforce; encourage participation in cancer-related physical activity events, sports teams and contests; provide incentives to use fitness clubs and on-site fitness facilities; and allow reductions in medical plan insurance rates for employees who are physically active. Senior management is challenged to support this culture change.

Diet and Nutrition

The diet and nutrition standard challenges us to make healthy eating a normative, rather than an exceptional part of our culture. It emphasizes education on the link between obesity and cancer, education about food choices and nutritional counseling and a proactive approach to supplying healthy foods in all cafeterias and vending areas.

Screening and Early Detection

We are charged to develop a culture that values and promotes cancer-screening behavior by educating employees and their family members, providing easy access to cancer screening (directly or through primary care physicians) and allowing flextime for this important health service. 

Access to Quality Treatment and Clinical Trials

This standard challenges us to supply patient advocacy services to fully use third-party disease management resources; to help employees navigate all aspects of cancer care, including clinical trials; to provide education and awareness about cancer care and clinical trials; to eliminate financial barriers to participation in clinical trials; and to support cancer caregivers.

Wellness Clubs

EH&WB sponsors a variety of special interest clubs. Join one that suits your interests, or help us put one together. Got an idea for a new club? Call us at 5-WELL or e-mail your idea to askacoach@mdanderson.org. What clubs can you join?

• Beyond Salad Vegetarian Club
• Weight Loss Support Group

Fitness Room Members

The Houston Main Building (HMB) Exercise Room, located in the basement (HMB.B240)is a great place to achieve your exercise goals. Two treadmills, two elliptical machines, two bikes and strength training equipment as well as various exercise classes are in place. There is always something going on “just for fitness room participants,” so don’t miss out on the fun — come down and try us out. The best part of HMB is that it’s free!

Fitness Class Schedule

All classes are free and located in the HMB basement unless otherwise noted. E-mail askacoach@mdanderson.org for the most up-to-date class schedule.

Locker Information

The HMB locker rooms are available for use. You must rent a locker if you plan on leaving personal items such as workout gear and toiletries. The cost is $1 per month, and there are registration forms in the HMB Exercise Room.

Personal Fitness Training (PFT)

Are you looking to get back in shape? Then sign up for a Personal Fitness Training session. The PFTs give you an opportunity to receive one-on-one fitness direction from an exercise specialist. This service is free, but an appointment is required.

Coach / Counsel Opportunities

Your wellness coaches are available to coach you in your journey to improve your health and well-being. Their knowledge of wellness, exercise and health will assist you in reaching your personal health and wellness goals. By improving your health and decreasing your health risks, you will improve your overall health and well-being, which will allow you to be more productive at work and enjoy a more active lifestyle.

Major areas of coaching/counseling include stress management, physical activity, smoking cessation, weight management, nutrition, diabetes and high blood pressure/cholesterol management. For your added convenience, the wellness coaches make "house calls" and come to you for the coach/counseling service.

What’s Hot?

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We know good health is important to you and your family. M. D. Anderson has partnered with UT System to offer UT SELECT members a great new resource - Living Well Health Manager, powered by WebMD. This personalized health information resource provides free and easy access to the information you and your family needs to make smart choices about your health. From providing critical information about preventing or managing serious disease to developing a personalized health improvement plan, you will find a variety of powerful and easy-to-use tools from one of the most trusted sources of health and medical information – WebMD!

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Additionally, your UT SELECT plan provides you with numerous wellness benefits and opportunities to improve your health. Visit www.livingwell.utsystem.edu for wellness program details.