ASHEVILLE, NC – “Well-a-Bration,” a week of activities showcasing UNC Asheville‘s health and wellness programs and the grand opening of the new Sherrill Center, will take place Monday, Sept. 12, through Saturday, Sept. 17. The week will feature cooking and exercise programs, meetings of health policy leaders, two expos, and a talk by Dr. Patch Adams, the physician and social activist who inspired the Robin Williams film named for him. Many Well-a-Bration events and activities will be free and open to the public.
“Well-a-Bration will help focus attention on what we can all do to make this a healthier community and a healthier state,” said David Gardner, executive director of UNC Asheville’s N.C. Center for Health & Wellness (NCCH&W). “We’re also celebrating the opening of a great new resource, the Sherrill Center, home to NCCH&W and the Kimmel Arena.”
Well-a-Bration will feature two expos in the Sherrill Center: The N.C. Health Expo, featuring interactive exhibits and demonstrations, will take place on the Kimmel Arena concourse. Downstairs, the Sports Expo, held in conjunction with the Asheville Citizen-Times Half Marathon, will be held on the Kimmel Arena floor.
“We take a holistic approach to health and wellness, so we have a variety of activities,” said Jill Moffitt, director of student life in UNC Asheville’s Campus Recreation Department, who has scheduled certain events just for students and their families, faculty and staff. “Some activities will introduce the campus community to the new fitness facilities in the Sherrill Center.” said Moffitt. “Other events will highlight the social and emotional aspects of wellness and healthier eating options.”
Well-a-Bration highlights that are free and open to the public include:
- Dr. Patch Adams, physician, clown, activist, and founder of the Gesundheit! Institute, a nonprofit project in holistic medical care based on the belief that one cannot separate the health of the individual from the health of the family, the community, the world, and the health care system itself. 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, Sherrill Center, room 417.
- Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina statewide leadership team meeting, including Dr. Jeffrey Engel, State Health Director; David Gardner, executive director, UNC Asheville’s N.C. Center for Health & Wellness; Keith Ray, associate professor and chair, UNC Asheville Department of Health and Wellness; others, 1-4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 16, Sherrill Center, room 417.
- NCCH&W Partners Health Expo, featuring interactive exhibits and demonstrations, 2-4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, Kimmel Arena, Sherrill Center.
- 2011 Asheville Citizen-Times Half-Marathon & 5K Run & Walk Sports Expo, 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15 and noon-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, Kimmel Arena, Sherrill Center.
For the complete Well-a-Bration schedule of evening health policy seminars, cooking and exercise programs and more, visit unca.edu/wellabration.