Wellness and well-being are woven into the life of Penn’s campus for students, faculty, postdocs, and staff. In the third part of a new series highlighting University resources aimed at supporting the campus community, Penn Today focuses on physical wellness, following the installments on mental health and financial well-being. From the annual fall flu clinic to free biometric screenings to gym discounts, Penn provides access to preventive care for members of the campus community.
With a primary focus on students, “Wellness at Penn is dedicated to supporting our students’ physical health through comprehensive services and initiatives,” says Benoit Dubé, Penn’s chief wellness officer and a clinical professor of psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine. “In addition to the primary and specialty care services we offer, our annual flu clinic exemplifies our commitment to prevention and wellbeing, empowering students to focus on their studies and enjoy a vibrant campus life. Together, we’re building a healthier, more resilient Penn community.”
Aimed at a wholistic wellness approach, the Peer Wellness Coaching offered by Wellness at Penn provides a range of services to promote good physical health including support and resources to help students’ manage sleep, nutrition, and physical activities.
As part of programs helping faculty and staff build fitness into their routine, all full-time employees receiving benefits through either Penn or UPHS are eligible for a 50% reduction in gym memberships at the Pottruck Health and Fitness Center.
Wellness at Penn is holding its annual Flu Clinic at Pottruck Oct. 16-17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All Penn students, faculty, postdocs, and staff are welcome to drop in for their free flu shot. They must bring their Penn Card.
Wellness will once again partner with local pharmacy SunRay to offer COVID-19 boosters for the campus community Nov. 13-14 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wellness at Penn office located at 3535 Market St. Penn students, faculty, postdocs, and staff must register in advance for an appointment for their free COVID-19 booster and must bring their Penn Card.
Wellness’ medical care team offers services from allergy injections to gynecologic care to promoting mindfulness to travel consultations for students seeking routine and recommended vaccines before going abroad.
Penn’s Human Resources Department has several programs focused on physical health for faculty, staff, and postdocs.
“Penn has a long history of providing quality health care benefits for our faculty and staff, but HR’s commitment to wellness doesn’t stop with health insurance,” says Sue Sproat, executive director of HR benefits. “It’s also about supporting our colleagues on their physical and behavioral wellness journeys. Penn Healthy You programs provide incentives for participation in a host of activities, including the Be in the Know campaign and biometric screening program, health coaching, nutrition counseling and workshops, fitness classes, wellness walks, challenges and more.”
Resources include:
Penn’s annual Be in the Know wellness campaign is available to all benefits-eligible faculty, staff, and postdoctoral researchers and fellows eligible for the Penn Postdoc Benefits Plan. Through Nov. 26, the team is offering free biometric screenings on campus where Health Advocate personnel measure blood pressure, lipids (including total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides), and blood glucose. Through the platform partner, Virgin Pulse, the Be in the Know program offers one-on-one health coaching, a goal setting, tracking program, timed health challenges, and more.
The Penn Healthy You program offers nutrition counseling, tobacco cessation, discount memberships to area YMCAs and Campus Recreation, workshops with medical experts, and a variety of events and workshops, including wellness walks and exercise classes.
Family and self-care benefits include adoption assistance, fertility assistance, backup care for dependents, and on-campus lactation space.
Health Insurance: all Penn’s health insurance plans include prescription drug and comprehensive medical coverage as well as dental and vision coverage.
Penn offers two dental plans through either Penn Dental Family Practice or MetLife. Affordable dental care is also accessible through Penn Dental Medicine’s teaching clinics.
University of Pennsylvanian Health System (UPHS) employees also benefit from a menu of resources. Physical wellness is the foundation of preventive medicine, says Janna DeCicco, senior employee health and well-being consultant with UPHS. “By engaging in regular activity and eating healthy, we may reduce the risk of chronic disease and enhance our quality of life. Investing in your physical wellness today is one of the best ways to ensure a healthier tomorrow.”
UPHS benefits include:
The UPHS Employee Well-being Program (Wellfocused) is an app that can track progress and activity against goals and connect health devices and apps, such as Apple Health.
Wellthy: Your Personalized Care Concierge provides personalized support for logistical and administrative support, including aging care and support for veterans.
The Perelman School of Medicine Wellness (for School of Medicine employees) includes programs to help with nutrition and fitness.
