On Friday, October 25, 2013 some 200 McGill employees, including Principal Suzanne Fortier, along with more than 20 wellness exhibitors from within and outside the McGill community, helped to make this year’s health fair the best one yet!
Participants were eager to pick up the latest health related information on a vast array of topics ranging from physical and mental health, to safety on campus and CPR. Interactive formats, such as blood pressure testing with the Heart & Stroke Foundation, nutrition quizzes from the McGill School of Dietetics & Human Nutrition, memory testing from McGill’s Ponder Program, and strength testing from McGill Athletics & Recreation, caught everyone’s imagination – not to mention the Zumba demonstrations!
For nature lovers, the McGill Gault Nature Reserve kiosk featured the beauty of Mont St. Hilaire and its 25km of trails while Greening McGill along with the Office of Sustainability were active in promoting healthy living closer to home. With chances to win one of twenty raffle prizes, and McGill Food & Dining Services providing samples of pumpkin bread and apples from Macdonald campus, there was something for everyone.
“Healthy employees have energy to spare. Energetic people are motivated and highly engaged, thanks to a health and wellness program at work,” explained Lynne B. Gervais, Associated Vice-Principal, Human Resources.
McGill’s Principal Suzanne Fortier took some time off her busy schedule to participate in the fair and say a few words. “Healthy living, a safe and healthy work environment, and good work-life balance – these all contribute to establishing a culture of health and wellness at McGill. McGill’s health and wellness program offers great benefits to our employees. I encourage you to take advantage of the various activities offered by the program.”
According to the World Health Organization, regular physical activity and a healthy diet play a significant role in the prevention of certain diseases, such as the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, colon and breast cancer, and depression. To this end, one of the highlights of the Fair was when Prof. Fortier drew the winners of the “Take Thirty Challenge”. Four lucky winners took home gift certificates for Paragraphe Books, McGill Athletics, and McGill’s own Food & Dining Services.