Feature Stories

Wellness Screenings Set for Feb. 19

Other Health News: Healthy Weight Competition Under Way; Medtipster Website Available

Alma College is sponsoring a free wellness screening session for faculty and staff on Thursday, Feb. 19 from 6 to 9 a.m. in the Wilcox Medical Center on campus. Retirees who are on the College's health insurance plan also are eligible to participate.  

"On behalf of the wellness committee, I would like to thank Maggie Ross and Amber Herman of the medical center for agreeing to provide the screening services to the campus," says Ken Borgman, director of human resources.

As in past screening sessions, participants will have their weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar measured. Participants also will have the opportunity to complete a confidential health risk appraisal form to be processed by the University of Michigan Health Management Research Center.

No appointment is required. Participants may attend on their own time or during scheduled work hours with supervisory approval. A 12-hour fast prior to screening is recommended.

Wellness Incentive: Food Donation Equivalent to Campus Weight Loss

Eighteen teams involving 74 faculty and staff have signed up for the six-week Discover Your Healthy Weight wellness program, which was launched Feb. 2. The teams have signed up for an overall weight loss goal of more than 550 pounds.

In support of the program, the College has committed to donating to a local food pantry an amount of canned or boxed food equal to the overall pounds of weight lost. In other words, for each pound of weight lost by the campus community, an equivalent pound of food will be donated.

Openings still exist for faculty and staff who want to participate in the program. Information and registration forms are available on the Wellness Matters Website.

Medtipster Website Provides Prescription Drug Database

The College's pharmacy benefits manager, 4D Pharmacy Management Systems, has introduced a new Website, "Medtipster," that provides the opportunity to search a database and locate certain free or reduced price prescription drugs at local retail pharmacies, or even other pharmacies when you are traveling outside of the local area, announces Ken Borgman, director of human resources. The drugs that are available through these reduced and free retail pharmacy programs often cost less than your Alma College health insurance member prescription drug copays.

To access the Website, go to http://www.medtipster.com. It is important that participants still present their 4D member card when picking up free and reduced price medications, so that a drug interaction check can be done on all medications taken by members and their families. You will still be eligible for the reduced and free medication when your 4D member card is presented.

If you have questions about using Medtipster, please click on the "PharmaSue Blog" button on the Website for an e-mail address and phone number, or call the College's health insurance agent, Public Employee Benefits Solutions, at (989) 240-5960.


 

 

Alma College boasts a 13-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio, a liberal arts approach to undergraduate education, 32 academic majors, self-designed programs of emphasis, pre-professional programs in law and medicine, and an intensive Spring Term that provides opportunities for innovative courses, travel classes, research and internships.

 

Faculty Profile

David Zerbe

David Zerbe
Departments: Music

Dave Zerbe started playing the drums when he was two years old and hasn’t stopped since.

The director of percussion studies and the bands has taught at Alma College since 1988 and joined the faculty full time in 2004.