The Health Screenings Event, made available by the Iowa Conference's Well-Being Coordinator, Kae Tritle, is open to conference employees, and all clergy and spouses. This includes all local pastors, part-time pastors, commissioned, probationary, extension, retired clergy, elders, deacons, and ministry candidates, even if you aren’t on the conference insurance. It will be Saturday, June 3, from 6 am to 8:30 am at the RecPlex of West Des Moines at the Annual Conference session site.
Included are blood-pressure measurement, self-serve weight measurement, and the following lab tests: cholesterol (LDL, HDL, & triglycerides), Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP): calcium, BUN (blood urea nitrogen), creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, glucose, GFR (glomerular filtration rate), calcium, phosphorus, albumin, globulins, ALT, AST, GGT (liver enzymes), bilirubin, iron, uric acid, complete blood count, platelets and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). Men over the age of 50 will also have blood drawn for a PSA (prostate serum antigen).
In order for the cholesterol levels to be accurate,
you should not eat food or drink beverages, including coffee, tea, soda, or alcohol, 10-12 hours before your testing time. Water is strongly encouraged; drink plenty the day before the blood draw and a full glass that morning. Please take your normal morning medications with water before coming. Mercy One Des Moines is the lab provider.
Registration is through this online link:
https://MercyOneBusinessSolutions.as.me/UMC
This information will also be posted on the Annual Conference website. You will receive your results from Mercy One 2-3 weeks after the screening via the US Postal Service. Kae Tritle, Well-Being Coordinator, will also receive results and can be contacted for any questions.
Virgin Pulse Activity Program: Increase your daily physical activity by walking. Conference employees, all active clergy, and spouses are eligible to participate. Virgin Pulse is a web-based activity program that helps you earn rewards for enhancing your fitness and overall wellness through the digital tracking of physical activities, health habits, steps, and learning activities. You can connect with friends and colleagues who are also participants of Virgin Pulse for support and competition. Join by going to this website:
http://join.virginpulse.com/wespath Click here for a
PDF of Virgin Pulse information and enrollment instructions.
Wondr Health: a health-full eating/activity and behavioral skills program for improving well-being and weight for conference employees, clergy persons, and their spouses on the Conference health plan. This online program will teach the skills needed to lose weight while eating normal foods and reduce the risk of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease. Enrollment is aimed at persons whose BMI is 30+ or 25 with one other health risk. The next application process will be in August 2023. Online video sessions start in September.
