Worship room for meditation classes at Sentara (Courtesy of Sentara Virginia Medical Center)

According to public relations and communications specialist Corianne Pafford, Sentara may not have a gym, but it does offer a “variety of wellness/nutrition initiatives and programs.” These programs, like the Lorton location’s “Yoga for Cancer,” focus on fitness as a part of total health and healing for patients of the hospital. “Yoga for Cancer” is an eight-week program facilitated by a yoga therapist who is trained to work with cancer patients, with the aim of improving quality of life and reducing stress, depression and other negative effects of cancer.

Sentara also offers CPR classes, diabetes management classes and weight-loss seminars. While these offerings are more medical than simple gyms or personal trainers, Sentara’s main aim is for total health, combining fitness with medicine and education. “Sentara’s mission is ‘We improve health every day,’” Pafford says. “That means going beyond just treating illnesses and injuries. We understand that an investment in wellness is the best investment for our shared future.”

(August 2015)