The BCM BeWell program will continue to help eligible Baylor employees take steps to maintain and improve their health in 2018 by offering a full slate of wellness programming and activities.
The program will build on its success last year, when nearly 1,300 employees participated in BeWell’s signature program, Getaway to Good Health, collectively walking more than 3.4 billion steps and 1.5 million miles. This year, BeWell is again sponsoring Getaway to Good Health, encouraging participants to accumulate enough steps per day to be the equivalent of walking from Minneapolis, where the 2017 challenge left off, to Spokane, Wash.
The virtual walking challenge launched in January and will run through Nov. 26. In addition to taking steps to improve their health, employees who participate are eligible for souvenir items and prizes, and can earn BCM BeWell Vitality points. Learn more about Getaway to Good Health online.
“Getaway to Good Health is something that everyone can participate in – it doesn’t require any special equipment or gym membership,” said Courtney Richardson, a benefits representative in human resources who helps oversee the BeWell program. “We are excited to offer this program again this year, and we even encourage some healthy competition within and between departments.”
Other highlights of the BeWell program in 2018 include some updates to the wellness portal, Vitality. New features here include point-earning challenges focused on good sleep behaviors and mindfulness, as well as point-earning goals focused on financial well-being.
In addition, look for educational programming this year, including quarterly mini-challenges, DocTalk and BCM BeWell presentations. The first BeWell presentation of 2018 will provide an overview of what it takes to achieve 18,000 Vitality points, the amount needed to qualify for the discount to the employee-only insurance premium. See the schedule for the BeWell presentations across campus.
Other BeWell programs will continue as well, including the Reason2Race Charity Challenge that offers participants the opportunity to raise money for a charity of their choice while being active and earning Vitality points. The first event in this series is March 24 at Minute Maid Park. And, of course, BeWell will again be organizing a Baylor College of Medicine team for the BP MS 150 bike ride from Houston to Austin that raises money and awareness for multiple sclerosis. Join the team as a rider or volunteer!
BCM BeWell also will expand its stairwell project at the main campus. Already, certain stairwells have been designated as BeWell StairWells and enhanced with signage about the benefits of taking the stairs rather than the elevator.
BeWell has had a meaningful impact on Baylor employees, Richardson noted. Look for some of these success stories to be highlighted in the monthly BeWell newsletter that is emailed to all participants, and view this BeWell video for more information.
BeWell participants from the Children’s Nutrition Research Center.
-By Dana Benson
BCM Family 