Employee Wellness: 1/25

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Employee Wellness

by Susan Johnson, Ph.D.
Office of Health Promotions

Kicking the cigarette smoking habit is the single biggest improvement to health a smoker can make.

In addition to the long list of health risks associated with smoking, MUSC employees covered by a state health plan feel an additional financial burden beyond the high cost of cigarettes. A tobacco-user surcharge adds an additional $40 to $60 per month to health insurance premiums, depending on coverage.

There are resources available to employees who are ready to make the decision to quit and are looking for help.
Beginning Jan. 25 and running through Aug. 1, MUSC employees and students may take advantage of a free tobacco-cessation program. Participants will receive a voucher for a free one-month supply of nicotine-replacement therapy or a one-month starter supply of prescription medication used for smoking cessation as recommended by a physician.
Vouchers for medications must be redeemed at MUSC pharmacies or the MUSC Department of Family Medicine. Pharmacists will discuss health history and medications to screen for potential interactions before selecting a product that is right for you.

To register, visit http://www.musc.edu/employeewellness.
Here are some additional resources:

Quit for Life – A professionally trained quit coach works with the individual to create a personalized quit plan. The participant may call the Quit for Life toll-free support line as often as needed. Participants receive a quit guide and five telephone calls from a coach. For more information, visit https://www.quitnow.net/scstatehealthplan/ProgramLookup/EnrollNow.
Pharmacy counseling is available at http://www.muschealth.com/prescriptionrefill/.
MUSC tobacco-free campus information can be found at www.musc.edu/tobaccofree.

Employee Wellness events

Chair massages: Free massages are offered to employees on Tuesday nights and midday Wednesdays. Look for broadcast messages for locations and times.
Zumba at Harborview Office Tower: Join licensed Zumba instructor Felecia Curry for a weekly Wednesday night Zumba class held in Room 302, HOT. Email curryf@musc.edu for information or to register.
Charlestowne Landing: On Feb. 2 and 3, Tri-county residents will receive half-price admission to Charlestowne Landing.

MUSC Urban Farm

Families are encouraged to participate in a Work & Learn session from 9 to 11 a.m., Feb. 2.
Early bird maintenance: Maintenance won the farm will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Jan. 30.

Email johnsusa@musc.edu for information about the Office of Health Promotions at MUSC.

Friday, Jan. 25, 2013

The Catalyst Online is published weekly by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. The Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to The 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 Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.