Personal Wellness Stories

Read about our member's peronal wellness stories.

Georgia W. Barkers, Ed.D., R.N.

Wellness Center Member

"The Wellness Center has been like a good friend to me over the years. There are times when we lose touch, my fault of course, but, it is always there for me when I need support.

"The staff is friendly and helpful. I am often surprised that they remember my name after some of my long absences. I have taken classes in Yoga for Weight Loss, Tai Chi for Inner Balance, water aerobics, and have used various other services including message therapy and personal trainer for water aerobics. I also participated in the Champions "Weight Loss Challenge", a fantastic experience; my team won the contest ("Go Reducers") but everyone who participated was a winner.

"On a special note, Debbie Vinson, my personal trainer for water aerobics, became a special friend as we worked to help me reduce and strengthen prior to hip replacement surgery. Debbie was as much a counselor as a trainer, listening to my challenges and helping me to decompress. I always felt lighter mentally as well as physically when I left the water.

"I cannot imagine myself without The Wellness Center and now that I have a new hip, I can see our friendship growing. Whenever I think of personal fitness I look to see what the Center has to offer. Gail, Curtis, staff, and instructors, thank you for all that you do and for caring."

Sabrina A. Scott

Practice Manager, Dourron OB/Gyn Associates, PC
Wellness Center Member

"In 2008, I reached a point in my life where I was the most unhealthy that I had ever been. I was being treated for high blood pressure, sleep apnea, pre-diabetes and weighed almost 300 pounds. I knew I had to make a permanent change.

"I joined the Wellness Center because I needed a comprehensive program that combined exercise and nutrition, was not expensive, and was conveniently close to my workplace. I began meeting Curtis, an exercise physiologist, as well as a nutritionist on a monthly basis. Believe me, I’m not a fan of exercise, but Curtis managed to put together a personalized routine that even I could stick to.

"I went from being completely inactive to exercising at least four days a week even during the holidays of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. I followed this regimen for six months to satisfy my insurance company’s requirement for bariatric surgery approval but even after the surgery I continued my membership. I’m still working towards my goal, but I have lost 40 pounds since last October and have reduced some of the medications I used to take."