Soldiers and civilians celebrated the grand opening of Fort Campbell's Army Wellness Center March 21 with a ceremony and guided tours of the new facility.
The Army Wellness Center is part of a U.S. Army Medical Command initiative overseen by the Army Public Health Command. Active duty Soldiers and TRICARE recipients are eligible to use this facility.
This is the 31st wellness center the Army has opened. These facilities are located on installations across the world.
Jheri Weidensall, director, said staff at the wellness center focus on prevention and wellness to support Soldier mission readiness.
"This isn't just 'Let's ace that [physical training] test.' It's so much more than that," she said. "The Army is all about readiness being No. 1 and we are here to support that mission."
Several services are offered at the wellness center including metabolic testing, a physical fitness assessment, biofeedback and BodPod assessment.
All of these tests are conducted using state of the art equipment.
"When we test a client's metabolic rate we are seeing how many calories they burn completely at rest," she said. "Based on that number we are able to calculate the patient's personal caloric needs based on what their goals are."
Whether a client is trying to maintain, lose or gain weight, staff at the wellness center can develop an individual program for them.
"It's not just some algorithm that we use," Weidensall said. "That's the beauty of it."
The physical fitness assessment includes exercises that test a client's cardiovascular health, muscular strength and flexibility.
"From there we can customize for the client what we call an exercise prescription based on their current level," she said. "People are not all on the same levels. Some people might just be starting out with exercise and have no idea what to do. We can take over from there. Others might be more experienced, but we are always here to help."
Through the biofeedback testing, the staff are able to help client's understand what stimulants cause them stress and how to cope with high levels of stress.
"We are basically teaching clients how to physiologically control their body's response to stress," Weidensall said. "We offer different techniques during each session to help pinpoint which techniques work best for the client. We help them understand how to use the techniques outside of this building."
The BodPod is an Air Displacement Plethysmograph that uses whole body densitometry to determine body composition.
"The BodPod is able to assess body composition by testing body fat," Weidensall said. "It is more than 99 percent accurate. It works through air displacement. It's a quick and short assessment. Afterward, clients can see their fat mass versus their fat-free mass."
Client can use the BodPod every 30 days to track their body composition.
Although these services can be used separately, Weidensall said the four assessments work well together.
"Another great thing is that this is all free for people who are eligible," she said. "In a civilian sector having all of these tests ran would cost close to $3,500 out of pocket. That advantage of this."
The wellness center will also offer general wellness education classes such as physical fitness, nutrition, importance of sleep, stress management and tobacco cessation.
Colonel Telita Crosland, commander of the U.S. Army Medical Department Activity at Fort Campbell, said once the wellness center is stable, the staff want to take their classes out into the community.
"Folks are going to come to [the facility] because that is where the equipment is, but we are also going to be going out to the units to do classes for battalions, brigades and companies," Crosland said. "That's the thing about health and wellness -- it's a community event. We are just one part of that community, but we want to get out there and meet people where they work."
Crosland said she wants the public to understand that the wellness center is a resource, but it will only help the community if they take advantage of the services they provide.
"It's a resource and this really is about staying healthy, wellness and prevention," she said. "That takes activation on the individual's part. We are here for them and we would love for them to interact with us."
Eligible clients can make an appointment with Fort Campbell's Army Wellness Center by calling 270-461-3451. The wellness center is open from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 5662 Screaming Eagle Blvd.
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