Worcester Business Journal

24 Worcester Business Journal • June 8, 2015 www.wbjournal.com Two years ago, Jacqueline Capomacchio, director of human resources/ affirmative action and Title IX coordinator, noticed that other universities in the area had a strong health and wellness presence and thought that Clark could be doing more. So in the fall of 2013 the institution launched CU Fit, spearheaded by David Everitt, senior associate director of human resources/affirmative action, to bring awareness to faculty and staff of the benefits associated with a healthy lifestyle. "We recognize that people are working a full-time job and have outside responsibilities. ey might be caregivers, have children, go to school and have other jobs, which could prevent them from having the work life balance that they may need to be healthy," says Capomacchio. Clark assembled an advisory group, comprised of a cross-section of staff and administration that collaborates and offers suggestions on what programs might provide the greatest benefit. "e group is active in terms of its own wellness," Everitt says. "Based on what we believe is important to our staff and faculty, we'll select a program." Harvard Pilgrim provides a health and wellness budget, a range of experts, outlines and topics for each program. "We partner with Harvard Pilgrim to learn what's been effective at other institutions, which helps guide us when we decide which programs to offer," Everitt says. CU Fit held eight workshops between September and April, including a flu shot clinic, biometrics screening, mindfulness workshop, and emotional intelligence seminar. e spring workshops included Get Ready, Go!, a fitness and exercise demonstration; Realistic Optimism, which complemented the University's "Week of Happiness;" Managing Daily Stresses; and How to Pack a Healthy Lunch. Clark's Employee Assistance Program provider has a series of four workshops on the topic of caregiving of which Clark offered "Care for the Caregiver" this spring and will offer additional workshops in the series during the next academic year. e Athletics Department holds regularly scheduled fitness classes that include Pilates, yoga, and Zumba, with hopes of expanding future offerings. To get the word out, Clark's Wellness Committee, in conjunction with Marketing and Communications, designed a website that posts upcoming events and program details, National Health Observance Months and links to a wealth of health-related resources. For instance, the site provides a list of area bike riding trails as well as fitness apps that Wellness Committee members have found effective and motivating. Additionally, the Wellness Committee sends emails and oen makes personal connections. "We reach out to groups that don't have easy access to email, such as physical plant employees," says Everitt. "Also, since we are a bilingual community, we present information in Spanish and English." e University also participates in the annual Road Bowl, a friendly competition among Worcester academic institutions that involves teams who try to outdo the other schools' fitness accomplishments. Clark faculty and staff also take part in several 5K walks and runs throughout the year, including the St. Patrick's Day event and the Jingle Run. e organized programs have had positive results throughout the campus. For instance, the University offered to pay half the cost of a standing desk and a large number of staff and faculty jumped at the chance. ose who didn't purchase one created their own version. Many staff members also have become informal "Workout Buddies," encouraging each other to "get moving." One Clark participant who stands out as a fitness champion is Amanda Popp, associate director of Graduate Admissions Operations. Having struggled with weight issues all her life, she began to incorporate exercise into her daily routine in 2007 when she started working at Clark. But it wasn't until the launch of CU Fit that she really became serious about getting healthy. Popp attended the nutrition program and learned how to balance eating with exercise. She also participated in the biometric screening, stretching and stress relief programs. But her greatest accomplishment came when she joined the Road Bowl challenge. "I committed to walking/running intervals six days a week for one- and-a-half to two hours," she says. is regimen of proper nutrition and exercise resulted in a 100-pound weight loss. While she feels healthier, she emphasizes the holistic benefits associated with a fitness program. "Exercise is not only about physical health but mental health as well," she says. e bottom line? CU Fit, with assistance from Harvard Pilgrim, has helped kick-start healthy habits in the lives of many of the faculty and staff members. "We have received individual emails thanking us for making health and wellness a priority. And we've noticed the number of program attendees is going up," Capomacchio says. "We've given our employees the information and resources to make good decisions about their health and wellness, which is important to all of us." n CLARK UNIVERSITY Harvard Pilgrim Health Care's Health Innovator Award "Harvard Pilgrim is honored to partner with Clark University in their commitment to health and wellness in the lives of their faculty and staff. They understand the challenges of balancing work and home life, and they have gone above and beyond to help infuse healthy living into that balance for their employees." – Kate McEvoy-Zdonczyk, VP, Emerging Markets, Central & Western MA, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care CU Fit's success can be attributed to the efforts of a cross-section of Clark staff. Front row (l-r) Erin Dolan, Sharon Griffin-Edson, Courtney Brothers Back row (l-r) Melissa Tula, Amanda Popp, Deanna Scaramangos, Phil Robakiewicz, Tina Zlody, Kim Fisher, David Everitt L ong known for its research into matters of the mind, Clark University recently began focusing on issues related to the body. The creation of CU Fit, a campus- wide health and wellness initiative for staff and faculty, has become a big hit in fostering a healthy mindset that has earned the institution the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care's Health Innovator Award. PHOTO/EDD COTE

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