Wellness Center CHARLESTON’S ONE-STOP-SPOT FOR ALL FITNESS NEEDS MAGAZ I NE MUSC SHOUTING ‘GOOD HEALTH’ FROM OUR ROOFTOP BOXING STEADIES PARKINSON’S PATIENTS The Wellness Center Celebrates 31 Years! FINDING FAMILY IN SURVIVORS’ FIT
www.WellnessCenterMagazine.com | 1 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | TABLE OF CONTENTS Change is a fundamental aspect of our daily lives, a force that shapes our lives in a variety of ways. This truth has become especially evident to me during my two years as the director at the MUSC Wellness Center, where I have seen a multitude of innovative developments. Through perseverance and determination, we have achieved success and overcome numerous obstacles along the way. Our commitment to progress and innovation has encouraged us to constantly push the boundaries of what a wellness center can offer. It is our goal to cultivate an environment that stands out as one of the finest of its kind in the entire country. To this end, we have enacted a series of changes to elevate the overall experience for our community of members. First and foremost, we have sought out and welcomed new team members, individuals who possess expertise in their respective fields and share our dedication to excellence. This addition of talent has invigorated our collective vision, enabling us to deliver cutting-edge programs that cater to the diverse needs of our members. Equally important is our commitment to providing state-of-theart facilities and equipment. We have made investments to ensure that our center remains at the front of technological and wellness advancements. By doing so, we aim to empower individuals to fully realize their potential by engaging in a wide range of activities that promote physical fitness and mental wellness. Lastly, we strive to offer the best services to our members and clinical populations for optimal wellness. We have new programs aimed to enhance the well-being of all individuals by offering a wide range of options. Our primary objective is to improve the overall well-being of every person who engages with our organization. While progress remains our driving force, our goal is to be the highlight of every individual’s day. We are aware of the significance of health and wellness in today’s fast-paced and demanding world. Thus we strive to create a place that enables people to start or continue their personal journeys toward living their best lives. Now more than ever, it has become increasingly important to provide individuals with an outlet through which they can nurture their physical and mental well-being. By continuously innovating and improving, we seek to offer our members a comprehensive range of resources, guidance and support necessary to navigate the complexities of this ever-changing landscape. FROM OUR DIRECTOR Dusty Jackson Ultimately, the MUSC Wellness Center stands as a testament to the potential of change. While we celebrate our past achievements, we remain steadfast in our commitment to pushing boundaries, challenging norms and facilitating transformative experiences for our members. Guided by the belief that health and wellness are fundamental pillars of a fulfilled life, we dedicate ourselves to providing an exceptional environment that encourages individuals to live their best possible lives. I would like to encourage you to embark on your journey to health and wellness. There is no better time to begin than the present. I wish you all the best in your health. Dusty Jackson Shouting Good Health From The Rooftop Breast Cancer Survivors’ Fit Club Boxing Program Steadies Parkinson’s Patients Turning Success Into Lifelong Goals Healthy Habits — Hope Blossoms Here Wellness Center Historic Timeline Follow Us On Facebook Teens Piece It Together On The Wellness Center’s Horizon
2 | www.WellnessCenterMagazine.com SHOUTING GOOD HEALTH FROM THE ROOFTOP If you walk the halls of the MUSC Wellness Center, you will see a host of programs that help people achieve their wellness goals while having fun. Then go up. Higher – and outside. There you will find members of the Wellness Center community – clients, trained staff, students and guests – confirming that fitness can be fun from the rooftop. On any given day, enthusiastic members enjoy the Rooftop Sports Deck and Functional Training Zone, which integrates physical fitness activities with the mental health benefits of being outside. By Lisa Wack
www.WellnessCenterMagazine.com | 3 “The Wellness Center Rooftop has been open since 1993, originally with four tennis courts and an outdoor track,” explained Jim Tomsic, facilities director at the Wellness Center. “Then, in 2017, we added a basketball court and a dedicated space for a functional training circuit.” Four pickleball courts were added to the tennis courts shortly after. Some of the equipment regularly used includes the monkey bars, stall bars, varied pull-up bars, weight sleds, tire flip and battle ropes prepped for year-round outdoor use. The facility was once even used as a training ground for a student preparing to appear on “American Ninja Warrior.” In all, the rooftop covers 36,000 square feet of space to stretch out and get in tune with nature. On a picture-perfect morning, you might find a yoga class inspired by the natural beauty of a sunrise. “The rooftop is used by all of our members. However, MUSC students take advantage of the rooftop more than any membership type,” noted Kevin Smuniewski, director of student wellness programs. “They’re frequently playing sports, doing group exercise together and even hosting student events. This is the perfect venue for students to manage the daily stress of their intense academic curriculum.” In addition to its memberships, the Wellness Center offers guest or day passes that are used regularly by visitors to Charleston. The facility also has a program that allows family members of long-term MUSC patients to participate at special rates. The rooftop resources continue to expand, and equipment often is added based on user feedback. And, of course, any discussion about growing resources has to include pickleball – one of the fastest growing sports around. Paddles and balls are available on-site, so there’s no excuse not to give it a try. The Rooftop Sports Deck was even the site of the first rooftop pickleball tournament. “Depending on the weather, the rooftop tends to be used more in the morning and later afternoon,” Smuniewski added. “However, I think even during the hottest part of the day, people are up there. When fully utilized, there may be more than 100 people, whether it be retirees out for a morning game or the student pickleball club after classes.” Another perk for the MUSC students who enjoy time on the Rooftop is the exposure to career paths such as physical and occupational therapy. Members of the fitness staff have a strong commitment to the students and develop an understanding of student interests. The variety of options and the energy boost members get from other Rooftop participants is contagious. “With all the cool, unique activities going on, this is truly the best place to be in Charleston,” Tomsic added. ◆ FAST FACT Outdoor activity can provide a mental health boost. Moving outdoors can reduce anger and depression and improve mood. In addition, exposure to sunlight enhances Vitamin D production, which may be partly responsible for this mood-enhancing effect. Source: The American Council on Exercise.
4 | www.WellnessCenterMagazine.com BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS’ FIT CLUB: A SOOTHING SENSE OF COMMUNITY By Lisa Wack
www.WellnessCenterMagazine.com | 5 Learn more: Cindi Day - [email protected] Women often feel that they don’t want to make their problems someone else’s problems. The isolation that results from this mindset can be especially difficult for women who are facing a cancer diagnosis or treatment. The MUSC Wellness Center’s Breast Cancer Survivors’ Fit Club brings women out of isolation and into a community of people who are navigating the same complicated path. The program launched in partnership with the Hollings Cancer Center in 2016, when health care experts first identified the need for a support system. “When I heard about the club, I knew I was interested in the physical activity part, but I didn’t know what to expect about the rest,” said James Island resident Sara Senn. “What was amazing to me was the connection I made with other women. I think a lot of us were surprised.” The program is a 10-week exercise, nutrition and behavior-change program that touches on areas such as fitness, nutrition, self-esteem and quality of life factors specific to cancer survivors. About 12 women per session meet for about one-anda-half to two hours twice weekly. Each session has an educational component and a fitness component that incorporates professionals who have backgrounds in nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy and fitness, according to Cindi Day, the clinical exercise program coordinator at the Wellness Center. Day’s pride-filled explanation of the program includes frequent credit to Dr. Jennifer Harper, a radiation oncologist and a member of the MUSC Head and Neck Oncology Team who helped create each component of the Survivors’ Fit Club. “Participants have a chance to try aquatic classes, pickleball, yoga and even boxing. We also incorporate group fitness classes that focus on strength training, posture, functional movement and shoulder range of motion,” Day added. “One of our most popular sessions is when our skin care consultant from Beautycounter comes to inform participants on the importance of using clean beauty products. Everyone gets pampered with a facial and makeover.” As part of the program, participants get a one-on-one personal training session and a three-month membership to the Wellness Center. “All of our treatments may have been different, but there is a lot of common ground,” said Senn. “We became a very close group. We encourage each other.” Many women come into the Center on days when the Club doesn’t meet to exercise and take group fitness classes. In addition to the activities, participants also share resources and tips, like how to deal with fatigue or what side effects the others may be experiencing on a certain medication. Day sees an incredible difference in some of the women who have found the Survivors’ Fit Club. “They think they are coming in for exercise,” she notes. “But they realize that they have found a community.” ◆ Note: Participation in the Survivors’ Fit Club requires a referral from a physician.
6 | www.WellnessCenterMagazine.com Longtime Charleston residents Brian and Lyn Swan will never forget the day Brian pushed away his skepticism and walked through the doors at the MUSC Wellness Center to check out the Rock Steady Boxing Program. Steady was far from how Brian was feeling as he and Lyn shifted their lives to accommodate his Parkinson’s diagnosis one month before. Like so many first-time attendees, Brian’s first thoughts were “Boxing? No way – I have Parkinson’s; how am I supposed to box?” “Many of the boxers are apprehensive about the program initially. Others are still coming to terms with their diagnosis,” said Cindi Day, a certified personal trainer and lead RSB coach. “Then they observe a class. They feel a sense of community, and they notice how everything is tailored to every level of Parkinson’s – from the asymptomatic class members to participants who are in wheelchairs.” “Once people take their first class, I know that we will know each other for years,” Day added. “I have known most of the participants for five to seven years now.” Day doesn’t just casually know class members. She knows their birthdays, their vacation schedules – even their haircut dates. Many participants have nicknames like “Rockstar Rick,” “Special K,” and “Tricky.” RSB is an international nonprofit that launched in 2006. Since 2017, the program has unfolded at the Wellness Center. Day has served as head coach for five years “Studies suggest that intense, forced exercise may be neuroprotective and even slow down disease progression,” Day said. “The class itself improves core strength, range of motion, functional movements and posture.” BOXING PROGRAM STEADIES PARKINSON’S PATIENTS By Lisa Moody Breslin
www.WellnessCenterMagazine.com | 7 Most importantly, Day added, “the classes empower people with Parkinson’s to fight back with hope and laughter. They learn to walk better, fall better and feel better while increasing rotation and improving their balance.” “It has been a positive experience for me,” said Brian Swan, who once raced sailboats. He has attended RSB “pretty steadily” for the last five years. “Before diagnosis, I used to do my own workouts. I even had a strict regimen of exercises that included running,” he added. “Then I started to notice that I didn’t have the same stamina.” Lack of stamina when he knew he was in shape was one of the earliest red flags that went up for Brian; when he was 60, he learned that he had Parkinson’s. “I didn’t stop exercising. I didn’t have to because of Rock Steady,” he said. “Keep moving remains my mantra. Motion is the potion – that’s life.” Brian and Lyn join many members of the Wellness Center family who know that in addition to the practical health benefits of RSB, the program offers an invaluable sense of community. It is not uncommon for Lyn to corral women who participate or volunteer for classes to go out to lunch or for happy hour. “Within this community of women, we are life jackets for each other,” Lyn said. “We are part of a group of people who really understands Parkinson’s and being a caregiver for someone with Parkinson’s.” When Brian first received his diagnosis, the couple was unaware of the many benefits of the MUSC Movement Disorder Center, Lyn explained. The discovery of that Center led them to Rock Steady Boxing. It was an added bonus that the Wellness Center and RSB were right in their backyard. “Our experiences with this program and around the city make me think that it was by the grace of God we were placed here,” she said. “We can’t always know exactly what to expect, but we do know that when participants leave the Wellness Center, they leave with friends,” she added. ◆ Learn more: Cindi Day • [email protected] VOLUNTEERS WELCOME A significant part of the Rock Steady Boxing program’s success is its pool of volunteers. Often, MUSC interns, especially physical therapy interns, serve as volunteers for the twice weekly program. Other times, participants’ spouses or significant others donate time. Anyone is welcome to contact lead RSB coach Cindi Day to learn more about volunteer opportunities. Lyn Swan wouldn’t miss a chance to help her husband, Brian, and others RSB participants. Watching him rise to the challenges and enjoy the community fills her with immense pride. “The best part of the program is the people involved,” said Brian. “The coaches, my fellow patients, who have become family, and volunteers. Everybody watches out for each other and makes the activities fun. Without that, I wouldn’t go as often.” “Lots of interns return to volunteer because they find the time so rewarding,” Day said. “Everyone who helps out knows the challenges participants face, and we all want to be part of their hope.”
8 | www.WellnessCenterMagazine.com Wouldn’t it be great if recovering from a back or shoulder injury or from joint replacement surgery only required a few weeks of physical therapy on the road to being pain-free? However, “physical therapy is forever,” Alicia O’Connor, director of personal training at the MUSC Wellness Center, explained frankly. “Staying healthy and strong requires a long-term commitment to your health, and you must be able to hold yourself accountable.” The Wellness Center’s Beyond Therapy Program welcomes clients who have embraced the long-term dedication needed to remain healthy and fit. These clients have recently graduated from their initial course of physical therapy prescribed by their doctor and are now ready to build on the progress they’ve made in therapy so far, continue their recovery and learn how to achieve their lifelong fitness goals. Because the Beyond Therapy trainers collaborate with MUSC’s Physical Therapy Department, clients can start by doing the same exercises they were doing in their initial PT program and add more exercises as their strength grows. The post-rehabilitation trainers design individual plans for each client that typically focus on regaining stamina, agility or flexibility. While working with a trainer, clients have full access to multiple Wellness Center amenities, including the Rooftop Sports Deck, a variety of studios, a 25-meter indoor pool and specialized machines. According to the National Institute on Aging, it’s important to incorporate four types of exercise – endurance, strength, balance and flexibility – into your training routine. Each has different benefits. Participating in one kind often improves your ability to do the others, and variety helps reduce boredom and risk of injury. The Beyond Therapy Program enables clients to focus on the areas they need most. “With any rehabilitation program, whether someone has back issues or a shoulder or knee injury, keeping their core strong is critical,” O’Connor stressed. “A strong core reduces stress on other parts of the body and helps to increase stability. We also want clients to maintain functional abilities when performing everyday activities.” Once clients begin using the Wellness Center facility, they often end up joining so they can use the amenities on their own, outside of their regular therapy appointments. Beyond Therapy’s success is linked to the fact that anyone can take charge of their own fitness progress. If they ever get off track, they will have a plan they can return to. Maintaining a pain-free life is not always an easy goal to achieve. That’s why the Beyond Therapy Program offers clients unique paths to help them build on the training progress they have made until their lifelong physical fitness goals become a reality. ◆ TURNING SUCCESSES INTO LIFELONG GOALS Learn more: Alicia O’Connor, director of personal training, MUSC Wellness Center [email protected] By Lisa Wack
www.WellnessCenterMagazine.com | 9 Beating addiction is a lifelong, often arduous journey, but, thanks to a partnership between the MUSC Wellness Center and Lantana Recovery of Charleston, that journey is filled with hope for many people. The partnership enables participants who have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder to belong to a community of people committed to healthier habits rather than damaging addictions to alcohol, drugs and an array of other dependencies. Participants, who tend to be between the ages of 18 and 30, come to the Wellness Center and participate in team sports, walk the track, shoot hoops, play pickleball, take yoga classes and work with a nutritionist. The rooftop, with all the fresh air and sunshine it brings, is a welcome relief as well. “The Healthy Habits Program is many beautiful things,” said Sheila Dawson, a personal trainer who co-leads the program with Galen Bennett and experts from Lantana Recovery, including Warren Phillips, its co-founder. “I love seeing their lights shine as participants enjoy team sports or are just having fun in general.” Each day, the Wellness Center portion of the program usually begins with the group gathering for deep breaths and serenity prayers. After Dawson talks to participants about the importance of gratitude, everyone splits off to enjoy the Center’s resources that thrill them the most. Later, the group reconvenes to talk about healthy habits and what they enjoy most at the Center and to share what they are thankful for. Lantana Recovery brings comprehensive clinical treatment to the Healthy Habits partnership. Each participant has an individualized treatment team consisting of a therapist and a peer support specialist who acts as a case manager, as well as a medical professional. Participants also benefit from diverse treatment modalities, including various holistic and experiential therapies. “Outside of our clinical programming, clients are introduced to multiple pathways that can serve as continued support after completion of treatment,” Phillips said. “Some of these pathways include 12-step recovery, Christian-based support groups, Buddhist-based support groups, SMART (Self-Management And Recovery Training) Recovery and a variety of exercise and holistic wellness activities.” “Usually, folks attach to several paths, and the MUSC Wellness Center is a huge piece of the puzzle,” he added. The shared goal of the Wellness Center and Lantana is to give participants hope and long-term recovery. “We want to create a space where individuals can achieve personal and professional growth, self-discovery, confidence, self-reliance, resiliency and independence,” said Phillips. Lantana clients who participate in Healthy Habits are outpatient – or day – clients, as well as full-time clients who live in recovery residences that include 24/7 mentorship. Lantana provides transportation to and from the Wellness Center, as well as supervision. “It’s not uncommon for Lantana clients to schedule times at the Center beyond planned programming to use the gym a few nights a week,” Dawson explained. The Lantana-MUSC Wellness Center partnership is a win-win for people who need hope as they fight addiction, Dawson and Phillips noted. “We do a lot of research and check data often,” Phillips added. “This partnership is a real, viable solution for people in recovery. Outcomes have improved significantly because of this partnership.” ◆ By Lisa Moody Breslin HEALTHY HABITS HOPE BLOSSOMS HERE Learn more: Sheila Dawson - [email protected] Warren Phillips - [email protected]
10 | www.WellnessCenterMagazine.com 1907 MUSC has its own football team, starting the tradition of wellness. 1988 Harper Student Wellness Center located in Alumni Memorial House – a dormitory – with the current weight room initially serving as a cafeteria for the dorms. Two carpeted group exercise studios were located in a wing of the Memorial House, which was ultimately demolished to make room for the current Ashley River Tower. 1989 Approximately eight classes were offered per week – all of them low-impact, high-impact or core-focused. Weight room and group exercise studio were underwater after Hurricane Hugo and remained closed for three months. 1990 Personal Training Program begins and grows over the next few years to include the only post-rehab program in Charleston. Physicians could refer patients to post-rehab trainers who would work with those with orthopedic and musculoskeletal problems alongside chronic illnesses such as cancer and multiple sclerosis. The first “step” class in Charleston was taught at the Wellness Center, with participants using wooden, rectangular boxes since Reebok hadn’t produced its molded plastic step yet. Feb. 1992 Section of building opens containing the present main studio, membership office and Office of Student Engagement. More than 50 classes were offered each week at this point, including everything from strength classes, pre-/post-natal, Pilates mat, yoga and tai chi, to seniors, qigong and akido. HISTORIC TIMELINE Dr. Gilbert Bradham, left, is one of numerous people attending the opening of the art exhibits previously housed at the MUSC Wellness Center. Pug Ravenel, left, is one of the many people admiring the new art adorning the walls in the MUSC Wellness Center in 1992. This photo is a perfect demonstration of the former layout of the entryway at the Wellness Center, which was filled with plants where the current membership desk sits. PAVING PATHS TO WELLNESS
www.WellnessCenterMagazine.com | 11 FUN FACTS: The Wellness Center was the first and only fitness facility to teach a class using the Reebok slide and the SurfSet, as well as the Reebok core board. The cycling studio was originally the serving line and dining room for the Gil’s Grill restaurant, with the current Fitness Assessment Lab serving as a dry goods storage room for the kitchen. The rooftop gym originally featured four tennis courts, an outdoor track and four racquetball courts. July 1993 Oval portion of building opens. Mid-90s: Wellness Center partners with Pediatric Cardiology to design the first weight-management program for teens in Charleston. July 4, 1995 Pool opens, encouraging water aerobics, kids’ programs and swimming lessons to grow in popularity. Early 2000s Kickboxing, tae bo and other martial arts-focused classes were added, as well as programs like Bootcamp, which was taught by active-duty Marines and was the only program of its kind in Charleston at the time. 2005 Clinical programs started with the Healthy Charleston Challenge winning two national awards for Best Behavior Change Program and Best Chronic Disease Prevention Program in the United States. 2006 Wellness Center is opened to the community. Prior to this, people needed a physician’s referral to become a member. 2023 Wellness Center voted Best Fitness Facility, Best Personal Trainer and Best Exercise Program by the readers of HealthLinks magazine. The MUSC Wellness Center is no stranger to news outlets covering groundbreaking health studies and trends. The JII Performance Group and residents at the MUSC Wellness Center performed a dance routine outside the Charleston Music Hall. Current Group Exercise Director James Johnson, right, teaches a group exercise dance class.
12 | www.WellnessCenterMagazine.com Follow Us On Facebook and Instagram Charleston SC Our Women’s Boxing program starts this Thursday, June 1, and runs until July 13! If you’re looking for a fun workout that will teach you self-defense and that’s open to all skill levels, sign up now at https://musc.clubautomation.com/ or at our front desk. #WomensBoxing #Boxing #WomanBoxer #BoxingClass #ActiveLifestyle #MUSCWellnessCenter Charleston SC The MUSC Wellness Center has a strict “No Camping” rule throughout the facility. What is “camping?” If you’re using a machine and you’re taking a ridiculous amount of time between reps to use your phone, and by extension hogging the machine, that’s camping. Use the machine as it’s intended, then move along. Brief rests between reps are fine, but don’t become a camper. #NoCamping #NoCampingOnGymEquipment #YourBestYou #MUSCWellnessCenter #CharlestonSC facebook.com/muscwellnesscenter instagram.com/muscwellnesscenter
www.WellnessCenterMagazine.com | 13 Charleston SC We know it’s a little late, but we figured it’s never too late for a little July 4th humor! #July4th #4thOfJuly #IndependenceDay #HistoryHumor #MUSCWellnessCenter #LowcountryLiving #CharlestonSC #RevolutionaryWar Charleston SC Our Movement and Mobility class is a popular one, with most (if not all) of the spaces being full. Its instructor, Marty Rivers, pictured here, works closely with members to focus on joint mobility, muscular stretching, movement efficiency and ease, stress reduction and recovery. The coolest part is that all these exercises are accomplished using nothing but basic equipment like chairs. Visit musc.edu/hsc to learn more about our membership options so you can join classes like this! #MovementAndMobility #SmartMovement #GroupExercise #MUSCWellnessCenter #YourBestYou #JointMobility #MuscularEfficiency
14 | www.WellnessCenterMagazine.com A group of local teens and young adults gathered virtually for the start of their weekly MUSC Wellness Center program. Conversation began informally; folks talked about how their week had been going and then eased into discussion about things they were thankful for. Over the last few weeks, members of this group had become friends through Piece It Together, a comprehensive wellness program for teens and young adults with autism spectrum disorder and other mild neurodevelopmental disabilities. For most kids, the transition to the teen and young adult years can be difficult to navigate, but, for those with ASD or other disabilities, the challenges can be even greater, especially if they don’t have a strong peer or community support network. Piece It Together offers participants the connection to peers and to the support they crave. Although the program began in person, PIT sessions now are virtual. Participants meet once a week for approximately six weeks, with each session lasting 60 to 90 minutes. Through a formal curriculum, participants acquire new physical fitness skills, discuss how to develop healthier eating habits and reduce stress and learn ways to maintain healthy sleeping habits. “There are anywhere from six to 12 participants, and they really get to know each other,” explained Galen Bennett, assistant fitness director at the MUSC Wellness Center. Ian Riddle, a recent PIT participant, benefited in a variety of ways. “First, Ian was able to communicate with the group by typing in his comments and questions,” his mother, Lisa, explained. “This is important for Ian because he takes a long time to warm up in social situations. In other settings, the activity might be done before he feels comfortable enough to participate. By allowing him to text, he was relaxed enough to participate fully in the activity.” Bennett most enjoys seeing teens and young adults build friendships and make healthier lifestyle choices. For many, PIT is an avenue for participants to broaden their social skills and learn positive ways to improve their mood and find more moments of calm. “We keep track of how everyone is doing,” Bennett said. “We ask them weekly what activities they liked or didn’t like and how the session may have helped them learn some new skills.” Lisa Riddle credits PIT with helping her son gain a number of lifelong skills. “He did a fantastic job with yoga and really seemed to enjoy it, and it was great to see his improvement over the course of the program,” she said. “This is something we are encouraging him to continue. Hopefully, it is a lifelong exercise for him. Ian has been keeping a food log ever since he has been involved in PIT, and we are encouraging him to use it to make good food choices.” As a peer mentor in PIT, Clay Seim of Charleston has a strong connection to the program. “I started a decade ago as a participant but have since grown into a much larger role,” Seim said. “It’s meaningful for participants when staff speak to them, but I can really tell them this is what I’ve done and how it has helped me. I have lived the experience and can help others achieve what they want out of the program.” Bennett noted that “although a virtual program is a little more challenging in terms of available equipment, we are very creative in the exercises we are doing. There are also some advantages to a virtual program for participants who would rather not meet in a group or for those with transportation issues.” Seim added that “the structure of the PIT program is key. You know you are expected somewhere at a certain day and time. Participating may start as an obligation, but then talking with friends and doing physical activity can change how you feel.” “By working on life skills and coping skills, people realize they may not be as limited as they think they are,” Seim continued. “They may realize they are not being fair to themselves and give themselves some grace.” ◆ Wellness Center note of thanks: The program would not have been possible without the generosity of Crews Subaru of Charleston. Learn more: Galen Bennett, assistant fitness director, MUSC Wellness Center • [email protected] By Lisa Wack TEENS PIECE IT TOGETHER Learn more: Galen Bennett, assistant fitness director, MUSC Wellness Center • [email protected] PIT is an avenue for participants to broaden their social skills and learn positive ways to improve their mood and find more moments of calm.
www.WellnessCenterMagazine.com | 15 Throughout its 30-year history, the MUSC Wellness Center has swiftly reacted as people’s needs have evolved. So when Director Dusty Jackson and his team consider future ventures for the Center, they do as they tell others: They consider the “why.” The Center’s leaders listen to the community, talk to experts and identify which needs are the greatest. These needs drive the Center's growth. When there was an uptick in concern about the lack of community for breast cancer survivors, the Survivors’ Fit Program was launched. When a growing number of Parkinson’s patients battled fears as their capabilities diminished and their caregivers grew weary, the Rock Steady Boxing Program rescued them. The Prostate Cancer Survivors' Strength Camp, Chronic Disease Management Program and personalized nutrition counseling are additional examples of need-based growth that often unfolds at the Center. “The landscape is ever-changing, and we have a team of experts with diverse skills and a common passion – to help others reach their health goals and live a better life,” said Jackson. “As we move forward, we will keep up that passion and remain innovative for current and future members.” Jackson rarely discusses the Wellness Center without calling attention to its singularity. His entire professional career has been in fitness and wellness settings, and he knows unique when he experiences it. “I have never seen anything like this Center,” Jackson said. “The populations we serve, the programming, the space and the use of space – these are all unique.” The Wellness Center caters to three population groups, or “buckets,” as Jackson puts it: students at MUSC’s six colleges; MUSC employees and community members; and health care professionals with memberships. Guest passes and day passes also are available for out-of-towners. “People who come through the doors may have different motivations and goals,” Jackson said.“Our focus is to be the best part of everyone’s day.” "We want this to be an exciting place to be from the moment people walk in the door," Jackson added. "Any changes we make to clinical programs, general health resources or the use of the Center's space will be linked to helping people live healthier and feel better." Jackson and the Wellness Center team have no doubt that there is more success to come. “There are more lives to be changed,” Jackson said. ◆ ON THE WELLNESS CENTER’S HORIZON By Lisa Moody Breslin
16 | www.WellnessCenterMagazine.com Wellness Center CHARLESTON’S ONE-STOP-SPOT FOR ALL FITNESS NEEDS MAGAZ I NE MUSC SHOUTING ‘GOOD HEALTH’ FROM OUR ROOFTOP BOXING STEADIES PARKINSON’S PATIENTS The Wellness Center Celebrates 31 Years! FINDING FAMILY IN SURVIVORS’ FIT For information, contact: [email protected] INCLUDES: ◆ DESIGN & LAYOUT ◆ ARTICLES ◆ COPY EDITING ◆ PHOTOGRAPHY ◆ DIGITAL & PRINT PUBLISHING ◆ DIRECT MAIL CUSTOM PUBLISHING FOR YOUR PRACTICE OR BUSINESS BRING YOUR ORGANIZATION TO LIFE WITH A CUSTOM PUBLICATION FROM • Cardio room; • Weight room; • 25-meter swimming pool; • Two group exercise studios; • Cycle studio; • Boxing studio; • Multipurpose gymnasium; • Rooftop sports deck and functional training zone; • Indoor and outdoor – rooftop – running tracks. • Paddle and racquet courts – racquetball, squash, tennis and pickleball; • Locker rooms – day-use lockers, showers, sauna and steam rooms. WELLNESS CENTER AMENITIES
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjcyNTM1