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Wellness program named Health First After sorting through numerous submissions, the members of the Employee Wellness Program advisory council have decided on a name and design for the program. Dubbed Health First, the program’s name came from John Wilson, Engineering & Facilities director, and the image design came by way of Erica Hood, Strom Thurmond-Endocrinology research assistant.   John Wilson and Erica Hood share in the new design and name of the wellness program, Health First. When asked why he felt it appropriate to call the program Health First, Wilson replied, “I tell my staff that you have to take care of your own health first to be able to take care of anything else. If your health is good, then you can make sure your family’s health is good. If your family’s OK, then you can make sure that work is OK. If you pay attention to your health first, then all the other things will work out.”   Hood’s design inspiration found its origins in her educational training and passion for graphics. A graduate of math and studio art from College of Charleston, she is also pursuing a degree in graphic design from Trident Technical College.     So now that the program has a name, Annie Lovering, R.N., Health First program coordinator, said its time to start putting the health and well-being of MUSC employees among the highest of  university and medical center priorities. To kick things off, Lovering announced the formation of Health First teams who will compete on a monthly basis to increase health and fitness for those who work on campus.   Each team will consist of up to 20 members and all members will receive a free pedometer to track their daily steps. At the end of each month, and based on honest self-report, a winning team will receive prizes to celebrate their walking the furthest that month. In addition, whichever team walks the equivalent number of steps to, say, Los Angles first would win an additional set of prizes for the year. Coaches for each team will be tasked with keeping team members committed and for organizing activities within their individual teams to encourage exercise, increased water intake, and eating more fruits and vegetables.   “By having our employees participate in this team concept, we hope to see our peers encouraging each other to move towards not only better physical health and wellness, but better mental and emotional wellness too,” Lovering said. “Teams might meet together during lunch, enjoying more fruit and vegetable dishes or walking to Colonial Lake and back.”   Teams are asked to come up with their own names and can be formed until June 30. The competition officially begins July 1, and weekends count too.   “The national goal is 10,000 steps per day,” Lovering said. “Each team member will be able to e-mail their daily step totals to the Every Step Counts Program.”   For  information or to make prize suggestions or donations, contact Lovering at 792-1245 or loverina@musc.edu. Editor's note: The preceding column was brought to you on behalf of Health First (Employee Wellness Program). Striving to bring various topics and representing numerous employee wellness organizations and committees on campus, this weekly column seeks to provide MUSC, MUHA, and UMA employees with current and helpful information concerning all aspects of health.     Friday, May 5, 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 Island papers at 849-1778, ext. 201.