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NC Division of Medical Assistance - High quality health care through Medicaid and Health Choice for Children.

DHHS Employee Wellness

Wellness Resources | Haywood Gym Facility | Haywood Gym Schedule (XLS, 44 KB) | Use the Haywood Fitness Room | Reserve the Gym


To help DHHS employees take a more active role in maintaining or achieving good health, the department’s Wellness Program plans activities and promotes changes in the workplace that support employees in becoming more physically active, making healthier food choices, avoiding tobacco, and better managing stress. These changes can have the greatest impact on preventing the onset of chronic diseases and helping individuals enjoy a healthier life.

DHHS employees use the exercise room

Wellness programs and activities for employees are provided through wellness committees organized in each DHHS division, office and facility. Wellness representatives from all DHHS agencies form a department-level Wellness Council that meets quarterly to advise the Secretary on wellness policy issues. Wellness director Suzanna Young oversees the program; she can be reached at DHHS.Wellness@ncmail.net or 919-707-5204.

Several DHHS facilities have opened fitness rooms and/or begun regular fitness activities as part of the DHHS Employee Wellness Program. Participation in workplace wellness activities is voluntary. Employees should seek the medical advice of their health care provider before starting a new exercise program. Employees must sign the general Department Wellness liability release form through their agency wellness committee before participating in any workplace fitness activities. Use of the Haywood Gym DHHS Employee Fitness Facility on the Dix campus requires completion of an additional waiver form.

The DHHS Wellness Initiative began in 2004 in partnership with the NC State Health Plan and its NC HealthSmart healthy living initiative to create increased support for employees' health and wellness throughout the Department.

Statewide Wellness Resources

DHHS Worksite Wellness Resources

Personal Wellness Resources

Raleigh Area: Haywood Employee Wellness Facility

DHHS has designated the Haywood Gym on Dorothea Dix Campus as a Wellness Center to provide an opportunity for Dix Campus and Raleigh area DHHS employees to increase their daily levels of physical activity. The facility includes a basketball/volleyball court, showers, lockers, and handicapped-accessible showers and restrooms. The facility has a separate fitness room with treadmills, exercise bike, and hand weights open to employees seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The DHHS Haywood Wellness Center policy provides detailed information on approved types of use of the facility and procedures for employees wanting to use the fitness room.

Wellness classes are scheduled in the gym area during the lunch hours. Get the schedule. Team sports are available to employees in the afternoon and evenings. There are plans to offer a greater variety of fitness activities based on employee interest. Current activities are informally organized by individual employees and employee groups. Some activities require a fee. Any fees charged for activities are paid directly to the instructors and are the sole responsibility of the individual employee.

For information about activities currently scheduled in the Haywood Gym, contact the following individuals:

Employee Use of the Fitness Room

Mark Benton, DMA director, tries the treadmillDHHS employees wanting to use the fitness room must first sign the DHHS Haywood Gym Liability Release form. Signed forms must be given to the employee's agency wellness representative, who will request the access key card from the department and distribute the activated key card to the employee.

The key card will allow the employee unscheduled access to the fitness room every day from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Entrance is through the main gym door on Pedneau Drive. When activities or events are not scheduled, employees also can have unscheduled access to the main gym for walking and court use. Employees can check the gym schedule (XLS, 210 KB) to see when the gym area is reserved.

Group Use of the Haywood Gym for Activities and Events

Groups wanting to reserve the gym area for wellness activities, team sports, meetings, or events should do the following:

1. Review the DHHS Haywood Gym policy regarding approved uses of the gym and priorities for different groups wanting to use the facility.

2. Check the posted Gym Schedule (XLS, 210 KB) to see if the desired date(s) and time is available.

3. Complete a Haywood Gymnasium Facility Request Form.

4. Send completed request form by as early as possible in advance of the event by:

  • E-mail to DHHS.Haywood.Gym@ncmail.net (approved e-mailed forms must be signed at the time the key card is picked up at the Adams Building Reception Desk);
    OR
  • Mail to: Haywood Gym Schedule 2001 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2001; OR
  • Fax to 919-715-4645 attention: Jean Parrish.

5. Requests will be reviewed and approved based on availability of the gym, DHHS policy regarding approved types of activities and events, and priorities for use of the facility. Applicants will be notified by e-mail or phone.

6. A group representative must pick up a key card the day before or day of the event beween 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Adam Building Reception Desk on Blair Drive on Dix Campus. The key card allows swiped access to the main door to the gym on Pedneau Drive.

7. Key cards must be returned to the Adams Building after the event. After 5 p.m. they can be placed in the drop box at the Campus Maintenance Office Building behind the gym at 805 Whiteside Drive.