It’s spring, and this means we’ve kicked off our wellness initiatives! The recent wellness screening events saw a great turnout of staff eager to learn about their health stats and improve their quality of life.

As in previous years, all participants have the opportunity to earn the Better You Strides wellness incentive program $100 online shopping experience by accumulating 300 points.

There are four actions, totaling 200 points, which are required to earn the shopping experience:

• A biometric screening (offered at a Wellness Event or at a Quest Diagnostics location) — 50 points
• An online personal health assessment (taken after completing the biometric screening) — 50 points
• Being tobacco-free or completing a tobacco-cessation course — 50 points
• Proof of flu vaccination in the past 14 months — 50 points

Additional points can be earned by participating in UF/UF Health Wellness and GatorCare activities, getting an annual wellness exam or participating in a community-sponsored walk or run, to name a few.

There are a couple of changes this year. Here’s a recap:

Points earned for certain actions are accrued immediately, allowing participants who earned the required 300 points earlier in the year to receive the $100 online shopping experience sooner rather than waiting until November or December.

Participants can earn extra points if their screening statistics, like cholesterol or blood glucose, have improved by 10 points from last year’s screening.

“We’re homing in and focusing on how our participants are progressing,” said Denise Huggins, UF Health Shands Human Resources Benefits manager. “The goal is to have everyone initiate changes to improve and stay on track for a healthier lifestyle.”

Visit GatorCare.org/wellness/betteryoustrides to learn more about the Better You Strides wellness incentive program.