Wellness Programming
This page provides an overview of the types of events Wellness offers. Please refer to our main events calendar for upcoming events and event registration.
Screenings
Postural Screenings
Musculoskeletal and neurological assessments are offered each Fall semester for freshmen. Students meet with a clinician from MedSport who checks for postural alignment, range of motion and runs tests as applicable to the motions students are expected to practice as part of their degree program. Following the screening students receive an individualized home exercise program to address any weaknesses or imbalances. Assessments are also available for students during their sophomore and junior year.
Hearing Screenings
Each semester we offer free hearing screenings and earplug fittings for SMTD students, faculty, and staff, through a partnership with Michigan Audiology and Wayne State University.
Audiometric hearing screening is a simple procedure carried out for each ear. Pure tones are presented across a frequency range of 1000 to 4000 Hz to determine if the patient’s hearing level falls within normal limits. A quiet testing environment, calibrated audiometric equipment, and appropriately trained personnel are used in this event. If a participant has a history of hearing loss or ear problems, they will not need a hearing screening. Please note that for earplug fittings, priority is given to participants at a high risk for hearing loss.
More information about hearing protection is available in this slideshow (PDF).
Voice Screenings
The Vocal Health Center provides free voice screenings for any SMTD student who has concerns about their voice. Reasons to have a voice screening:
- Tired voice after singing or speaking for an extended time
- Presence of a raspy vocal quality
- Reduced vocal abilities.
Performing Arts Health Clinic
The on-site Performing Arts Health Clinic, offered in partnership with MedSport and MPerform, provides students, faculty, and staff, the opportunity to meet with either a MedSport clinician (Kristen Schuyten, PT, DPT) or a hand specialist (Lexie Muir-Pappas, OT, CHT) to discuss any pain, injury, or discomfort. These one-on-one appointments help students with identifying sources of pain and any postural misalignments. Participants are given individualized exercise and stretching plans. Referrals for further treatment are provided on an as-needed basis. Postural screenings are also available for appointments with Kristen Schuyten.
Coachings
Wellness Coaching
At SMTD, students have the opportunity to sign up for one-on-one wellness coachings. Through these sessions, students may discuss their goals for positive change in a supportive environment with Amy West, Lecturer in Dance & Mayo Clinic-Certified Wellness Coach. Schedule a coaching appointment.
Nutrition Counseling
The School of Public Health Nutrition Counseling Center (SPH NCC) is open to all UM students and is sponsored by the Department of Nutritional Sciences as part of their dietetics training model. Examples of counseling session topics include better meal planning, eating tips for increased energy, grocery shopping tips, eating on a budget, digestive issues, or overcoming barriers that prevent better nutrition.
Appointments are available in-person at the SPH NCC Wellness Center space located in SPH II room 5327, or on Zoom. Find additional information from SPH.
Wellness Pop-Ups
Throughout the year, we offer multiple opportunities for stress-relief with meditative crafts, treats, and Therapaws.
Mind-Body Balance Series
The Mind-Body Balance Series offers a variety of free synchronous and asynchronous sessions. The asynchronous series is open to SMTD and the general public, and consists of 10-minute videos delivered to your inbox weekly on topics such as meditation, yoga, pilates, and strengthening. The onsite series, only open to SMTD faculty and staff, offers a weekly walking group, yoga, and pilates classes.
Check out sample Mind-Body Balance Videos:
Funding Opportunities
Mental Health Awareness Microgrants
The SMTD Mental Health Awareness Microgrant provides up to $750 of support for student-led projects by individuals or teams that use the performing arts to increase awareness of mental health issues as they relate to their long-term career in the arts. The grant is supported by the U-M Eisenberg Family Depression Center, the EXCEL Lab, and the Wellness Program. Contact us at [email protected] for more information.
SMTD Ergonomics Grants
The SMTD Ergonomics Grant provides funding support up to $100 to purchase equipment that improves students’ study and performance alignment. The goal of using ergonomic equipment is to improve comfort and posture while reducing extra muscular strain on the body during study and performance-related activities. Contact us at [email protected] for more information.