With an emphasis on wellness and health care, it wasn’t surprising to see a contingent of West Virginia University School of Nursing students close to the main entrance at the second annual WVU EmployeeFest. The front door to the Erickson Alumni Center was a gateway to wellness as the event offered dozens of free screenings, information and demonstrations designed to keep WVU employees healthy.
The nurses near the entrance were taking blood pressures. With enthusiasm.
“We’re trying to grab everybody who walks through the door,” Cassie Pfeil, a senior from Charleston, said.
It wasn’t hard to find willing participants. More than 1,700 employees pre-registered for the event and organizers expected 2,000 to 2,500 employees to ultimately walk through the door.
Along with blood pressure, the event offered screenings for body mass index, glucose, cholesterol, back and neck pain, carotid artery, gallbladder, hearing, vision, skin cancer, heart risk assessment and more.
The event was created last year as a way to thank WVU employees and let them know that the University values and appreciates them. This year’s event, coordinated by WVU’s Division of Human Resources, focused on wellness and employee benefits. Along with screenings, EmployeeFest offered workshops on healthy cooking and gardening and an Open Enrollment lab in which employees could make changes online to their PEIA and Mountaineer Flexible Benefits packages. There were also plenty of games, prizes, healthy snacks and beverages.
“I’m so proud of the departments at WVU, WVU Healthcare and external agencies who agreed to participate,” Toni Christian of WVU’s Division of Human Resources said. “They really stepped up and made this a great event. I’ve gotten nothing but wonderful feedback.”
Along with wellness, EmployeeFest offered camaraderie and a few rare opportunities.
“I’ve seen everybody I know here,” said David Powell of Facilities Management.
WVU President Jim Clements dropped in to thank employees and pose for photos. Provost Michele Wheatly helped served a “grab and go” packaged lunch.
And the 2012 Orange Bowl Trophy, on display in the main lobby, was a drawing card for Mountaineer fans.
“I watched the game but this is the first time I’ve seen the trophy,” Peggy Blosser of Student Systems Management said.
A season ticket holder, Blosser snapped a shot of the trophy with her phone as others awaited their opportunity.
A few feet away, the nursing students continued to welcome new customers.
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