By Alli-Michelle Conti
PBN Staff Writer

It is not by chance that faculty and staff at Bryant University have been making healthier choices. In 2005, the Bryant Wellness Committee was formed. The following years brought national recognition from the Wellness Council of America with the kick-off of the successful “Healthy YOU at Bryant U” program. The school’s wellness platform aims to enhance awareness and promote behavioral changes, such as better eating habits and greater physical activity.

“We have seen what a positive impact wellness has had on our faculty and staff, not only in terms of improvement in medical-claim costs, but also in terms of their level of productivity and engagement,” said Linda Lulli, associate vice president of human resources.

In 2009, Bryant kicked off the Good Cent$ wellness-incentive program, in which faculty and staff are given the opportunity to earn $100 to $140 per year for the completion of set goals. Participants are encouraged to use an online self-monitoring tool to track their progress. Results show that 14 percent of joiners over a three-year period had improved their level of physical activity and now meet the minimum exercise recommendation of three days per week. The tracking portal also helps school staff to determine employees’ high-risk areas and high-interest areas for future programming.

Speakers are part of the drive as well, with dialogue on topics of spirituality, race, gender or cultural differences. Wellness Wednesdays feature monthly speakers during National Caregiver Month, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Financial Health Month, for example. •