By Steve Jacobson

February is American Heart Month and Buffalo State College begins its faculty wellness program.

The a program is dedicated to keeping the faculty and staff at Buffalo State College healthy by offering classes such as Hatha Yoga, ice skating, karate, and many others.

The program is currently focusing on the wellness of women faculty members because women are at high risk of getting heart disease.

“Heart Disease is the number one cause of death for women in New York State and nationally,” says Linda O’Donnell, coordinator of the Alive and Well Program.

The program isn’t just opened for women, all of Buffalo State’s employees can benefit from this program.

“This program was designed to bring health and wellness to the work place,” O’Donnell says, “for employees to reduce their risk, keep morale high, and keep absenteeism down.”

Currently there is no program for students, due to a tight budget, but O’Donnell believes that when there is more money in the budget a progam can be created. Right now student can use the student health center that the campus provides. The fitness center may not have any programs, but it is equipt with a weight gym and exercising equiptment to improve Cardio wellness and burn fat. It is free for all students.

For more information you can e-mail Linda O’Donnell at ODONNELJ@BUFFALOSTATE.EDU

Links:

http://www.buffalostate.edu/orgs/
alivwell/F2000Progs.doc

http://www.americanheart.org