Wellness Working in South Jordan
Sep 04, 2015 02:44PM ● By Rhett Wilkinson
South Jordan was Be Well Utah's second-most popular location this year among 10 in the area. Photo courtesy U. Health Sciences
By Rhett Wilkinson
The second-biggest event of a wellness program in the Salt Lake valley took place in South Jordan Wednesday, Aug. 19 at the University of Utah’s South Jordan Health Center.
More than 2,300 attended the function, making it the largest Be Well Utah event only after the main event at Rice-Eccles Stadium, said Robin Marcus, the Be Well Utah lead. Ten program functions were held Aug. 15-22. The initiative, in its seventh year, is run by the University of Utah health care system.
With a physical therapy background, Marcus is thrilled to see the value of prevention embraced, she said.
“I’m just thrilled that university health care has taken the initiative to champion prevention – not that this is the beginning,” she said. “They are making a commitment by allowing me in my new role to champion these types of health awareness events.”
Marcus is also Chief Wellness Officer for the Office of the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences at the University of Utah.
South Jordan residents had many things to do at the Health Center in what Marcus described as a “carnival atmosphere.” There were visits from “Frozen” characters Elsa, Anna and Kristoff, along with the Jazz Bear, Mini Bear and PBS kids characters. Little ones brought a stuffed animal to the Teddy Bear Clinic. There was also face painting, “Dunk-a-Doc,” lasso lessons, reptiles, free books and a basketball clinic with former Jazz player Mehmet Okur. The South Jordan Police and Fire Department displayed emergency vehicles and an AirMed helicopter. And then folks had the chance to participate in the Strike Out Stroke, visual acuity screenings, cooking demonstrations, magician entertainment and more.
“There was a lot of learning going on,” Marcus said. “It showed me that learning about health and wellness can be a lot of fun,” Marcus said. “
Other Be Well Utah events included the Rice-Eccles event Saturday and a Walk Away Obesity function Aug. 15 in Sugarhouse.
Be Well Utah started seven years ago primarily at the University of Utah. Four years ago, it moved to Rice-Eccles Stadium due to growing participation. The South Jordan site started three years ago in correspondence with the opening of the South Jordan Health Center. Be Well Utah moved mid-valley this year, Marcus said.
The South Jordan function has grown every year, with the 2,300-plus who attended making it the biggest year yet, Marcus said.
