There's never been a better time to join the Cornell Program for Healthy Living (CPHL). The CPHL offers endowed faculty and staff:

Employee satisfaction with the plan runs high.

"The CPHL offers all the benefits I had under my previous health insurance, with the same co-pays and prescription costs," said Jake Weiskoff, consultant for Olin Library, who has been in the program since its inception two years ago. "I was able to keep my former primary care physician because he participates in the program, but we developed a better doctor/patient relationship because of the self-assessment and detailed annual physical that the program begins with."

Weiskoff prefers biking outside to working out in the gym, so he and his physician developed a biking, nutrition and home workout program for him to follow. "I bike to work every day, and I biked around Cayuga Lake twice for the AIDS Ride for Life fundraiser, held by the Southern Tier AIDS Program, where my wife is on the board of directors. As a result of the CPHL, I've lost a lot of weight."

Tamar Carroll, visiting assistant professor, says the annual physical was "the most thorough physical I've ever had. The nutritionist was very helpful, and I've appreciated the free consultation with the physical trainers."

Carroll enjoys the on-campus convenience of the group exercise classes, exercise machines and pool access that come with the free Cornell Wellness Program membership. "It's easy to integrate exercise into your daily routine. My husband is also a member, so we will team up for added motivation," she says.

Andy Weislogel, a curator at the Johnson Museum, appreciates the wealth of knowledge and education about personal well-being that are available through the CPHL. "With the CPHL, it's much easier to be proactive about your health through stress management, diet and nutrition," he says. Like Weiskoff, Weislogel has been able to keep his former health care provider, and "I felt like I developed a new relationship with him because of the annual exam and follow-up."

Other staff and faculty have taken advantage of the Island Health and Fitness membership discount to follow the recommendations of their physician. Pat Cooke, senior benefits resource specialist at Benefit Services, says, "It's convenient for me. There are people from all walks of life and all levels of fitness, and it's a lot of fun." Cooke points to the seamlessness between the fitness center and Cayuga Medical, whose physical therapy patients use the fitness center facilities. "It's encouraging to see people work through and overcome former physical limitations," she says. As with the Cornell Wellness Program, Island Health and Fitness offers smoking cessation and nutrition counseling.

For more information about the CPHL, see http://www.ohr.cornell.edu/benefits/openEnrollEndHealth.html or contact Benefit Services, 255-3936, e-mail benefits@cornell.edu.