Several options are available for tobacco cessation and the plan is individualized. It may include coaching services, support sessions, Chantix or a nicotine replacement. UPMC employees or the spouse of an employee is eligible for financial assistance to purchase nicotine replacement products for up to four months provided identified conditions are met. For employees and dependents covered by the UPMC medical plan, the prescription co-pay is waived. For information call 48418.

The UPMC Fitness Center is located on the ground floor of the Willowbrook Office Complex (WOC) and is open to all UPMC and Allegany County Health Department employees. The fitness center is available 24/7 and there is no fee to use the facility, but you must register as a user. Registration forms are available on the UPMC employee website or for information call 48420.

Group Fitness Classes are held in the ground floor of the Willowbrook Office Complex (WOC). Classes and times vary. For more information call 48420.

UPMC employees are eligible for special offers at the YMCA, Energy Health & Fitness, Life Fitness Management, Allegany College Wellness Center, and Planet Fitness. For more information, call the fitness center you are interested in joining to see what discounts are offered.

     • YMCA 301-777-9622

     • Energy 301-777-5304

     • Allegany College Wellness Center 301-784-5266

     • Planet Fitness 240-803-2200

Throughout the year various health challenges are offered as a stimulus for healthier living. For information call 48420.

Health education programs that promote prevention and healthier lifestyles are available to groups of employees upon request. For information call 48424.

As part of the employment process for UPMC, all individuals must complete a pre- employment physical assessment. Immunizations are provided as needed: Hepatitis B, MMR, Chicken Pox, Tetanus and Tuberculin Skin testing done at time of pre-employment assessment. Work related injuries are managed with an on-site provider and nursing evaluation as well as necessary referrals to appropriate health care providers. Additional services include: respiratory protection, initial assessment and follow-up of blood borne pathogen exposures, exposures to infectious disease and provides prophylaxis as indicated, free flu vaccination to employees, spouses and dependents over the age of 18, and safe patient handling processes. For information, call 48210.

All people experience crisis from time to time: a relationship breaks up; a loved one dies; a child develops a serious behavior problem; social drinking escalates into problem drinking; or stressful work situations. If ongoing services are needed, the counselor can make direct referrals to psychiatrists or community agencies who offer individual, marital and family counseling; specialists in financial counseling; attorneys; mediation specialists; medical doctors; and drug and alcohol treatment programs. All WMHS and Trivergent employees and their immediate family members are eligible for these services. The program includes an assessment of your situation, a plan resolve your problems or a plan to put you in touch with others who can offer continuing help as needed. WMHS employees should call extension 48555 for more details or at night, holiday and weekend emergencies can be handled by calling 41399. Trivergent employees should call extension 48518 at any time.

This 6 hour program offers interactive sessions with certified diabetes educator, a registered nurse, registered dietitians, exercise physiologist and pharmacist to help participants manage diabetes, avoid complication and achieve optimum health. The program teaches many aspects of diabetes self-management and blood sugar control. The class is free of charge to those employees/dependents covered under UPMC medical plan. A support person is welcome to attend with participant. Program is approved by the American Diabetes Association. To register and obtain further information, call 48787.

For employee and dependents covered by UPMC employee medical insurance, a disease management program is provided and includes case managers through UMR medical management who work directly with employees, dependents and their health care providers who have chronic or serious diseases such as diabetes, cancer, renal failure, mental health illness, and cardiac conditions. Among other things, Case Managers provide nurse intervention and assistance with home medical equipment, network access, appropriate follow up therapy, testing, transplants, or personal/family support. To contact a disease/case management nurse, you may call 1-800-826-9781. This information also appears on the back of your medical insurance card.

Change to Win is a nutrition and weight loss program led by registered dietitians to aid participants in making healthy lifestyle changes that lead to permanent weight loss. Even if one doesn’t need to lose weight, they are welcome to attend and learn nutrition information to stay healthy and feel well. There is a fee for the program but you may be eligible for reimbursement if incentive requirements are met. For information or to register for the program call 48416.

Support is available to individuals who want to develop a personalized plan for making healthy lifestyle choices. For information call 48420.

Appointments are available with a dietitian for nutritional counseling about a variety of health issues. Insurance may be billed for this service. For information call 42303.

Led by registered dietitians, these tours take participants through local grocery stores to help learn how to read food labels and make healthy choices. To register, call 48416.

Nutrition class taught by a registered dietitian, held monthly and open to anyone who has heart disease or cooks for someone who does. To register, call 42303.

Nourishing Nuggets for Better Health, UPMC nutrition and wellness blog can be found at http://nourishingnuggetsforbetterhealth.blogspot.com/ 

There are numerous support groups available, including: Bariatric Support Group, Diabetes Support Group, Infertility Support Group, Child Birth and Prenatal Education, Circle of Friends Bereavement Support Group, Hand-in-Hand Cancer Support Group, Look Good Feel Better, Stroke Support Group, Better Breathers Club, and I Can Cope Support Group. For details on the support groups and other programs offered in the community, visit www.upmcwesternmaryland.com or call 48424.