SALISBURY — Novant Health Rowan Medical Center is offering free biometric screenings to teachers and staff of the Rowan-Salisbury school system.

The program includes free on-site health screenings and an online health risk appraisal. All schools in the Rowan-Salisbury school system have an opportunity to participate, but there must be a minimum of 30 participants at a school for screening services to be brought on-site. The health screenings include blood pressure checks, blood work to measure cholesterol and blood sugar, as well as measurement of body mass index and waist circumference. Individuals receive their screening results with their health risk appraisal along with suggestions on how to live a healthier life.

The screenings are voluntary and any teacher or staff member has an opportunity to participate. Those who are interested can sign up for 20 minute appointments to meet with Novant Health’s corporate and community wellness team.

“At South Rowan High School, teachers had the idea to begin a wellness initiative,” said Kelly Withers, principal of South Rowan High School. “Novant Health made this idea a reality for us. They jumped in to coordinate biometric screenings on a day of our choice with appointments scattered to meet the demands of our staff’s schedules. Teachers and staff spent 15 minutes or less gaining valuable health information that could serve as a springboard for setting wellness goals. We are also in the process of scheduling health coaching sessions.”

Rowan-Salisbury schools that participate in the program are encouraged to form a wellness committee comprised of teachers and staff who are interested in personal health and wellness so that long-term goals can be achieved.

“In addition to the individual results, we are able to provide an overall health summary to share with the school principal and the wellness committee,” said Val Velte, community health program manager, Novant Health Rowan Medical Center. “The summary provides direction around what their specific group of employees need. For example, if a lot of people have high blood pressure, this could be an opportunity to bring resources on-site and provide a program to help lower blood pressure for those individuals.”

For more information about free biometric screenings or to learn more about the program, contact Val Velte at 704-210-6887 or vsvelte@novanthealth.org.