ARMY WELLNESS CENTER TO HOLD OPENING CEREMONY

The Fort Gordon Army Wellness Center is scheduled to hold an opening ceremony at 1 p.m. Wednesday. The AWC provides assistance to improve a Soldier's overall performance by assessing fitness and nutrition needs with the newest technology and by providing targeted training information to meet personal and Army goals such as weight loss and improved physical performance.

The new wellness center will open in building 29605 on Barnes Street, located next to the Fort Gordon Fitness Center and all AWC programs and services are available to active duty Soldiers, retirees, their family members and Army civilian employees.

"I am excited to provide this invaluable service to the men and women who serve the United States. We use the results provided from the assessments to develop safe and effective, evidence based exercise prescriptions to help each patient improve their fitness while empowering each individual to make positive behavior changes," said Adam J. Plagens, Army Wellness Center director.

Program participants can be seen at the Fort Gordon AWC through self-referral or walk-in appointment, a referral from their doctor, a unit referral for Army Physical Fitness Test failures or weight management. The AWC is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"The goal is to weave primary prevention into the fabric of everyday life, educating Army community members on how to live longer, healthier lives, and prevent disease and injury before they occur," said Plagens.

The AWC offers six core programs that address key areas necessary to improve overall health and wellbeing and each core program is interlinked to better empower positive lifestyle changes.

The available programs include weight management, nutrition classes, fitness assessments, stress management and unit level health briefings fitness assessments.

Metabolic testing is available to assess an individual's daily caloric needs along with courses in basic nutrition, reading labels, quick meals, weight management and eating to your metabolism rate which make weight loss and management more effective and accurate.

To assist with stress management, the AWC has a massage chair available to anyone who walks in and the staff can help with strategies and techniques for better stress management.

Army Wellness Centers promote enhanced and sustained healthy lifestyles, improving the overall wellbeing of Soldiers, their family members, retirees, and DOD civilians. As a primary prevention clinic within the Patient Centered Medical Home, the AWC staff embraces the Army Medicine mission, and we are honored to serve," said Plagens.