University promotes health and wellness

BY DENNIS HEDGE

With an understanding that a direct relationship exists between success and health and wellness, South Dakota State University has launched an initiative designed to improve the health and wellness of SDSU students, faculty and staff members, as well as other individuals throughout the region.

On Sept. 25, SDSU held a kickoff event for SDSU Health, a university-wide health and wellness partnership comprised of South Dakota State University’s health science programs, student health and counseling services and community partners.

The early focus of SDSU Health has been on creating a culture of health throughout the campus community in which physical and mental health is fostered, a balanced lifestyle is emphasized and personal responsibility to be well is encouraged.

A campus community of healthy students, faculty and staff benefits the university, state and region in many ways. For example, research and observation tell us that improving student wellness can result in fewer class absences, improved student retention and instill healthy living skills and habits that are transformational and last a lifetime.

In conjunction with the creation of SDSU Health, the university is reviewing plans to increase the size of its Wellness Center, not only for fitness space but also clinical spaces — student health services, counseling services, nutrition services, medical laboratory services and pharmacy care services. These enhancements will allow for additional care providers, expanded coverage and more comprehensive care for the campus community. In addition, spaces are being considered which will improve engagement between academic health science programs and community members.

On the academic side, SDSU Health provides a framework for interprofessional education and collaboration that prepares the next generations of health professionals and scientists to meet global and national health challenges. Under the leadership of faculty experts in health and wellness education, SDSU’s health science colleges, departments and programs will benefit from SDSU Health initiatives to teach students to be among the next generation of leaders in their fields and to better understand the holistic connectedness of the contemporary treatment team.

By bringing together the university’s health science programs, student health and counseling services and community partners as SDSU Health, South Dakota State University has taken a bold step to enhance its campus climate and underscore that good health is the foundation of our shared future and SDSU’s success as an institution. In the coming weeks and months, several programs and services will be implemented by SDSU Health that will encourage and support healthy lifestyles and healthy decision-making. PB

Dennis Hedge Dean and Professor South Dakota State University College of Pharmacy sdsu.pharmacy@sdstate.edu

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