recreation, well being, recwell, fitness, court, exercise, health
August 1, 2019
Oakland University is determined to be a leader in enhancing health and wellness in higher education. Now, thanks to an innovative partnership with Priority Health, this fitness focus is spreading with a comprehensive approach to wellness that reaches across campus and into the surrounding community.
A new multi-year commitment by Priority Health supports a number of programs, including construction of the new Priority Health Fitness Court, located just outside of the OU Recreation Center. The fitness court is a free, state-of-the-art, outdoor circuit training facility that will serve as a wellness hub for students, faculty, staff and members of the community. Oakland is one of the first five universities in the country to be selected by the National Fitness Campaign as a site for a fitness court.
“The Priority Health Fitness Court will be easily accessible to bicyclists, runners and people visiting the campus,” said Greg Jordan, Oakland University’s director of Recreation and Well-Being. “We are grateful to Priority Health for helping to bring this initiative to OU and partnering with us to promote student success and community well-being.”
Jordan says that exercise sessions and small-group classes will be available at the court. Users can also download an app for tracking usage, receiving exercise tips and more.
Priority Health’s sponsorship also extends into other health-related initiatives at OU. This support includes an annual staff and faculty “poker walk,” a hands-only CPR training program, plus a reward-based fitness tracking app program entitled Carrot Health and Wellness.
In addition, for the next three years, Priority Health will sponsor the School of Health Science’s Healthology Symposium and the School of Nursing’s Nightingale Awards for Nursing Excellence. These programs align with Priority Health’s steadfast mission to promote good health and improve the quality of life for all Michigan residents.
Priority Health’s commitment will also support the professional and career development of students, especially those interested in pursuing careers in the health care and insurance fields. Their sponsorship will provide stipends for students who intern at Priority Health and guarantee student networking opportunities at career fairs and employer events on campus.
Diane Wolfenden, vice president of east region at Priority Health, says a multi-faceted approach to health is the cornerstone of the partnership with OU.
“We see this as an opportunity to collaborate on innovative initiatives that are not only at the forefront of healthy choices, but will make a meaningful impact in the community,” said Wolfenden. “This is another way for us to help people improve their quality of life.”
For more information about the Priority Health Fitness Court or to learn more about University Recreation and Well-Being, please visit oakland.edu/recwell.