Maxwell’s health promotion programs undergo changes Published July 28, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Natasha Stannard 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Al -- Maxwell's health promotion programs and positions at the Health and Wellness Center are transitioning over the next year to strengthen a healthier culture that aligns with the Air Force Surgeon General's vision of being the healthiest and highest performing group in the United States by 2025. The changes at the center echo the Air Force Health Promotion goal of instilling an Air Force that focuses less on health facility concepts and more on capabilities as cost effectively as possible. "Policy and environmental interventions are cost-effective, align with the Air Force 'Every Dollar Counts' campaign, and will improve Airmen health and readiness," said Col (Dr.) John Oh, Air Force Medical Services Agency's Health Promotion Chief, in an article by Jon Stock. According to Lt Col Craig Forcum, 42nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander, while Airmen are responsible for meeting fitness standards, base leadership, as well as medical professionals, will focus on building a culture of health throughout Maxwell. "The idea is for all agencies, leaders and medics to push a healthy lifestyle verses the old model of the Health and Wellness Center being the main focal point," said Forcum of the changes. "This also falls in line with a lot of the resiliency efforts. We all need to work toward the goal verses having one or two key agencies responsible." Over the next year, Maxwell can expect a few changes, such as the closure of the Health and Wellness Center (HAWC). "A final decision has not been made when the HAWC [here] will close as a separate facility," said Capt Jill Roser, 42nd AMDS, Public Health and HAWC Flight Commander. "Remaining personnel (dietician and health promotion coordinator) will be incorporated into the clinic, but the exercise physiologist position goes away on October 1." The medical clinic here will also continue to assist Airmen in need of profiles, weight management programs and medical evaluations. "We're setting up Airmen for failure if we expect them to live healthy, but they operate in an environment that that encourages tobacco use, lacks healthy food options and makes sufficient exercise and sleep challenging," said Oh.