The UF-UF Health Wellness team recently unveiled its new campaign, Step it Up! This staff-based fitness initiative encourages staff to take the stairs, reduces congestion in the elevators that many of our patients and their families utilize and promotes daily exercise.

The pilot project launched May 10 in the UF Health Shands Hospital (north campus) first floor stairwells located near the main Atrium elevators (color-coded orange in our new wayfinding system). The stairwell doors now feature a Step it Up decal, and each flight of stairs displays colorful signs with encouraging messages, such as “You’re burning calories and helping your heart!” Many of our staff members enjoy working out after work, but the stairs require no waiting or wardrobe change, and they’re accessible in rain or shine.

The Step it Up project will join the ranks of the Wellness committee’s other health initiatives, such as the annual spring and fall walking challenges and the summer hydration challenge. More than 1,400 faculty and staff recently participated in the walking challenge. To learn more about how you can join an upcoming challenge, visit gatorcare.org/wellness. Let’s Step It Up!