ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 97th Air Mobility Wing held a Wellness Expo, a multi-organization health event, on Jan. 22, 2020, at the Freedom community center.
The Wellness Expo 2020 provided the community with information on health services available, both on and off the base. This event was open to all ages and was held to assist individuals with personal health and wellness goals.
“Wellness Expo 2020 came from the implementation of the HeRO (Health & Readiness Optimization) program which is a comprehensive wellness program designed to reduce health risk factors within the units,” said Gayle Kenyon, the health promotion coordinator assigned to the 97th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron. “However, to create an environment that is supportive of wellness goals, we need to look at the big picture, the entire base community and establish a culture that makes the healthy choice.”
The HeRO Program which is designed to promote healthy choices back to the squadron, is an Air Force Level initiative tasked to each health promotion coordinator to expand at their installation.
“The Wellness Expo is just the kick off of the HeRO program and in the future more events will be tailored to individual units to work on aspects they need help with,” said Kenyon. “Even after the expo, we can give anyone who comes on base these starting tools in which they need to accomplish their health goals.
The expo was introduced at the beginning of the year in order reminder individuals to set goals for the start of the new decade.
At the expo, activities ranged from: food taste testing, fitness challenges, wellness assessments, a kid’s corner which included face painting, multiple door prizes and two breakout sessions. The event featured 23 on-base and 13 off-base organizations for mental and physical health assistance.
“Every aspect in a person’s life, like sleep habits, nutrition and weight is all connected to a person’s quality of life,” said Kenyon. “My job is to assist members to find that balance with events and activities like the expo, to ensure people have the best quality of life now and for the future.”
For more information about the HeRO program or other events by the health promotion coordinator contact Gayle Kenyon at 580-481-5647.