Published on October 22, 2015
The 23rd annual Health, Wellness and Benefits Expo at Eastern Connecticut State University was another success on Oct. 20, as hundreds of members of the local community came to campus to browse the offerings of more than 50 health-related organizations.
Patrons enjoyed free chair massages and took advantage of flu vaccinations and various health screenings. A popular attraction this year was “Bella the pug,” a therapy dog. Having gone through various trainings and certifications, Bella and her owner frequent Backus Hospital in Norwich and visit with patients.
Other demonstrations included Fatal Vision goggles, which simulate the sight of someone who is under the influence; car seat installations; pain relief and STD screenings; body composition analyses; and more. Eastern students even presented an informational table on how certain species of ants use antibiotics to keep their nests free of infectious microbes and pathogens — a research area that may have implications for modern medicine.
In addition to representatives from area hospitals and health insurance companies, other tables featured information about holistic wellness. Experts on yoga, naturopathic medicine, organic foods, chiropractic and essential oils were available. Based on the belief that financial health is a part of overall wellness, several financial institutions were in attendance as well.
Organized by Student Health Services and the Office of Human Resources, many of Eastern’s related departments and offices hosted informational tables.
Written by Michael Rouleau
