September 27, 2012
The School of Pharmacy is presenting its first Wellness Week (Oct. 1-5), a series of events designed to raise awareness of wellness among pharmacy students.
“The purpose of Wellness Week is to promote all aspects of wellness in our student population,” said Chelsea Bennett, assistant dean of student services for the school. “It can be so easy for our students to get caught up in the rigors of the curriculum, so we want to make sure that they know how important it is to take time out for themselves, as well. We also want our students to be aware of all the resources that are available to them on and off campus.”
The week will offer many opportunities for students to experience different forms of wellness, from a Zumba class to a seminar about stress management.
“Wellness is so important to the SOP Student Body,” said Lacey Gilmore, student body president-elect. “We are very focused on our studies, and sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves. We have to find good ways to deal with stress and stay active as well as make good grades. Another important point is that the community will look to us as pharmacists to set a good example of how to live a healthy life.”
Wellness is one of the five support services that are offered through the SOP Office of Student Services. Bennett came up with the idea for Wellness Week, using a “wellness wheel” that incorporates physical, emotional, spiritual, social and occupational wellness as inspiration.
“I knew that this was something that we could expound upon,” she said. “I’ve been soliciting feedback from individual students and from our student executive council and various student organizations. They’ve had some great ideas for programming.”
Gilmore encourages her fellow classmates to take part in the activities.
“There is so much to learn about dealing with stress, eating healthy and exercising,” she said. “I am encouraging everyone to go to at least one event and try something new.”
For more information on Wellness Week, contact Bennett at cdwelch@olemiss.edu.
2012 Wellness Week Schedule
All events are in Thad Cochran Research Center, unless otherwise noted.
• Monday, October 1
6:00 p.m., Atrium – Zumba with Beth Whittington from the University Academic Support Center
• Tuesday, October 2
12:15 p.m., Room 1000 and Atrium – Healthy Snacks on the Go, sponsored by APhA
6:00 p.m., Room 1044 – Meditation and Mindfulness with Camp Best, student advocate from the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs
• Wednesday, October 3
1:00-4:00 p.m., The Inn at Ole Miss – All Majors Career Day
4:00 p.m., Atrium – Yoga led by PY4 student Miranda Jordan
• Thursday, October 4
12:30 p.m., Room 1000 – Stress Management Mini-Workshop with members of the University Counseling Center
• Friday, October 5
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Atrium – Campus Recreation Showcase
12:00 p.m., Room 1000 – Assembly with Randy Calvert to speak about independent practice and medical missions