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Healthy Heart Month to focus on new fitness program by Heather Woolwine Public Relations In recognition of the American Heart Association’s heart disease awareness month, Annie Cruzan and Nicole Hitte of the Wellness Center created the Healthy Heart Month program through the MUSC Wellness Center.   Cruzan, human services specialist for the Wellness Center, and Hitte, an intern from East Carolina University, devised the program not only to fill requirements for Hitte’s degree, but also as an opportunity for the Wellness Center to test drive a program and its fit with employee wellness initiatives on campus.    “I needed to create a program that benefited the facility in which I interned as well as including a public education, health and fitness component,” Hitte said. “It’s something that we’re willing to continue if there’s a good response,” Cruzan said.   So, for the entire month of February, MUSC employees and Wellness Center members can participate in free fitness assessments and health and wellness presentations and demonstration classes at the Wellness Center. Within a week of a fitness assessment, Cruzan plans to provide employees and members with a detailed, written analysis of the results.   Hitte and Cruzan want to help people to identify risk factors for heart disease and then steer them towards proper avenues of exercise, diet, and/or medical care under the supervision of their family physician.   “In terms of this month’s awareness and with the help of Julian Smith (Wellness Center director), it’s just really good timing to take on this project,” Cruzan said. “Plus, everything is free to employees and the members this month.”   In addition to a weekly “Fit Facts” newsletter produced by Hitte for the duration of the month, and the free fitness assessments and presentations, aerobic demonstrations scheduled during regular class times will provide interested members and employees with a peek at what they can expect from different classes.   For example, JoAnn Lee, MUSC Wellness center’s resident tennis pro, will introduce cardio tennis on Feb. 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.   To register for a fitness assessment, contact the free weight desk at the Wellness Center at 792-5754. For more information about the presentations or classes, contact Hitte or Cruzan at 792-9238.     Friday, Feb. 17, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778, ext. 201.