Photo By Staff Sgt. Amanda Flower | U.S Air Force Health Awareness Wellness Center faculty pose for a photo at Hurlburt...... read more read more
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HAWC helps Air Commandos remain combat ready
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. – There are numerous programs and services that Air Commandos and their families are able to take advantage of at Hurlburt Field. One service, some may be unfamiliar with, is the Health and Wellness Center located inside the Commando Fitness Center.
Their seven-person team provides care to active-duty personnel, retirees, dependents including children, and even federal civilian employees. Whether participants are self-referred or receive a referral from their PCM, the HAWC offers a little something for everybody.
“We cover a host of things,” said Brent Cowen, a 1st Special Operations Medical Readiness Squadron health promotion program coordinator. “People can come in for nutrition, exercise, tobacco cessation, or mental health assistance.”
Their registered dietitian can help with weight management, both weight loss and weight gain, and she can even assist individuals with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, cholesterol, or blood pressure abnormalities.
“We do team with family advocacy for an expectant parent class,” said Cowen. “Our dietitian talks with expectant parents regarding nutrition, and our exercise physiologist talks about prenatal and postnatal exercise prescriptions.”
Their health promotions section caters to military personnel, retirees and dependents. They also offer programs for military personnel who either failed their physical training test or simply want to improve their score. They have rehabilitation for injuries and can even teach individuals who are unfamiliar with gym equipment how to use it correctly.
The Civilian Health Promotions Services section provides wellness screenings and consultations, health education classes, and general health awareness and education. All CHPS services are available to Federal Civilians, with most also available to enlisted personnel. Additionally, they offer cardiac risk profile screenings specifically for federal civilian employees.
Twice a year, they offer wellness challenges that typically last six weeks. To enroll in these challenges and more, their website can be accessed at USAFwellness.com.
“Our current wellness challenge, “Move More”, encourages physical activity and an increase in steps throughout the day,” said Sarah Erickson, a CHPS health promotion coordinator. “This challenge will run from Sept. 13 to Oct. 24.”
They are fortunate enough to have a military and family life counselor on site. They are able to assist with anything from work related stress to family counseling. In an effort to reach as many people as possible, they offer virtual and after-hour services to accommodate individuals and families who may have difficult work schedules.
In fact, some of their equipment is portable, permitting them to travel to various units on base to conduct in-shop exercise, stress relief, nutrition, and bone and joint health classes.
“We all love what we do and are passionate about what we do, which makes this a wonderful environment,” said Cowen.
To schedule an assessment, reach out to the experienced professionals at the HAWC by dialing (850) 844-4292.
| Date Taken: | 09.13.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 09.14.2021 13:12 |
| Story ID: | 405077 |
| Location: | HURLBURT FIELD, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,231 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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