Kicking off the New Year with a healthy start, the University has created a new three-step program that offers financial incentives for staff and faculty aiming to stay on the path to fitness. Launched on Jan. 3, the BeWell Employee Incentive Program is part of the larger initiative of BeWell@Stanford.

Employees who complete the Stanford Health and Lifestyle Assessment (SHALA) at http://bewell.stanford.edu receive a $150 taxable reward. Those who complete the survey are invited to attend a free Health Improvement Program (HIP) workshop to interpret the survey results and create a wellness plan with a coach from HIP. Participants who create a plan are eligible for a free fitness assessment, two free personal training sessions and “Healthy Living” classes offered for a reduced fee of $20.

Though only University employees are eligible for the $150 incentive, free training sessions and fitness assessments, the entire campus community may take the survey and attend an Interpretation Workshop.

According to Deborah Balfanz, project manager of HIP, as of Monday evening — only eleven days into the program — approximately 1,800 Stanford employees had taken the SHALA. In addition, over 570 people have registered for an Interpretation Workshop. A total of 5,600 members of the Stanford community are registered on the BeWell Web site.

“We believe that as individuals become engaged in the [program], they will begin to establish internal values that support healthy behaviors,” said Wes Alles, director of the Health Improvement Program. “[HIP is a] visible demonstration of the University’s commitment to members of the Stanford community to promote health, vitality and quality of life.”

“By managing just five factors — smoking, physical activity, healthy eating, stress and alcohol — we can reduce the unnecessary illness and the costs associated with them,” Alles added.

Senior Associate Athletic Director Eric Stein and Jennifer Sexton, Coordinator of Fitness and Wellness Programs, said that in the coming months, the program intends to continue its marketing campaigns to increase participation.

“We continue to develop programming that we take to the users in their dorms and/or workplace,” Sexton said. “We have developed a network of BeWell Advocates that help to share information with their colleagues. We are also working with Human Resources and doing presentations at New Employee Orientation and work groups.”

Launched in September, BeWell@Stanford is led by the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation, and receives support from HIP, Provost John Etchemendy, the Benefits Department and the advocacy efforts of offices and staff across campus.

“Stanford was one of the first universities in the country to offer a breadth of programs aimed at living healthfully, and HIP has educated and mentored universities, HMOs and community health organizations around the world,” Alles said. “The BeWell program takes the program to another level, and we have already begun to receive requests from other employers about the incentives.”