The University of Mississippi Medical Center hosted their Spring into Wellness event at the Ridgeland Campus’ fitness plex on Saturday.
“Spring into Wellness was actually started last year by an occupational therapy student who implanted their capstone project,” said Sarah Whinery, an occupational therapy student at the UMMC Center for Integrative Health inside the fitness plex. Whinery organized the event for her capstone project. “It was what turned into Spring into Wellness. That is how it got started. It is turning into an annual event for us. It is our second year to do it. It has gotten bigger and better! We’re very excited about it!”
The event kicked off with a 5K and fun run. Participants registered ahead of the event and some received prizes following the races.
Lucy Priddy of Vicksburg won first overall walker and finished very impressed with her experience.
“It was a really great race!,” Priddy said. “We had good weather. It didn’t rain. The course was really well marked. There are so many activities going on around here to keep you busy. There were lots of great door prizes. It was an actually really good race!”
In addition to the races, there was a health fair with screenings of blood pressure, glucose, dental and more.
Children could enjoy inflatables, games and crafts.
WLBT news anchor Ashely Garner and WLBT Meteorologist Branden Walker emceed the event and announced door prize winners.
Inside the fitness plex, there was chair yoga, Zumba dance classes, acupuncture and massages from the Holmes massage therapy program.
