UMB Wellness Fair Expands in 2024
April 17, 2024
The annual fair hosted by URecFit and Wellness on April 1 continues to transform total health through cross-campus collaboration.
Photo: Enterprise Risk Management Manager Victoria Meadows, MS, teaches wellness fair attendees how to care for indoor plants.
This year’s UMB Wellness Fair looked a little different.
On Monday, April 1, the fair’s familiar and beloved vendors, including students from the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, were in attendance to perform blood pressure, posture, and extensibility tests. However, unlike previous years when the fair was held in the Elm Ballroom of his SMC Campus Center, the 2024 Wellness Fair expanded beyond a single meeting space.
One reason for the growth is URecFit and Wellness (URFW)’s commitment to promoting holistic health across campus. To address all her eight dimensions of well-being, the team invited 68 vendors to provide resources on emotional, physical, occupational, social, spiritual, intellectual, environmental, and financial health. provided. This includes new vendors such as the Maryland Retirement Plan and his ComPsych, UMB’s employee assistance program.
Another reason is the change at trade shows in the way information is presented to attendees. In addition to screenings and information tables, guests were treated to six of his new interactive workshops, presentations, and tours. Through them, guests received practical tips on everything from caring for plants to sustainable cooking to the basics of financial investing.
“Our vision for the Wellness Fair is to create a space for holistic health and wellness education, an environment where attendees can take meaningful breaks to reflect on their personal and community health.” , said Amanda Breon, Senior Assistant Director of URecFit and URecFit. Wellness. “This year, we wanted to create a more impactful experience for attendees by providing interactive opportunities to help guests think holistically about their health during and after the fair.”
The new interactive workshop was a collaboration between URFW and multiple departments on campus, including the Office of Sustainability and the Student Counseling Center. The decision to partner with departments outside of URFW is not only a strategic decision to improve the Wellness Fair; Cross-campus collaboration is essential to his URFW mission to support the university’s core values of well-being and sustainability.
As the first and only recreational facility on campus, the URecFit and Wellness team knows that when the UMB community thinks of wellness, they think of URFW. URecFit and Wellness Director Eric Barron wants to challenge that notion.
“URFW is a leader in campus well-being. But we don’t own it and we can’t do it alone. It’s everyone’s responsibility to support and improve the well-being of the UMB community. I believe,” Barron said. “The Wellness Fair is a great way to bring together what I call ‘well-being champions,’ foster partnerships, improve well-being across campus, and gather resources to support the university’s mission.”
This year’s Wellness Fair was attended by more than 200 students, faculty, staff, and other community members.
In between tables, workshops, and screenings, all attendees were asked to take a moment to “check in” on their health. This is also his new addition for 2024. Using sticky notes on the corkboard, guests assessed their health status and shared their learnings and health behaviors. plans, and how the university can support their well-being.
One note said the 2024 Wellness Fair “will be a very holistic experience.” [that helps] It’s about addressing your concerns, not just living with them. ”
