We bring together world-class medical care and quality wellness programs to help you learn to make healthy life choices.
About the Center for Wellness
Appointments
Complete our online form or call the Center for Wellness in Madison at (608) 440-6600 to set up a wellness consultation, group medical visit or health coaching appointment.
1:1 wellness consultation
During this 60-minute appointment with a physician or advanced practice provider, we will explore your personal and family health history, clarify your health goals and create a personalized lifestyle plan you can implement and sustain. We will use evidence-based treatment options, personal support and self-care practices to optimize your health.
Group medical visits
Group medical visits offer an innovative and interactive approach to meeting your healthcare needs. Patients with common health goals are brought together and led by one or more healthcare providers in a supportive environment.
Led by a healthcare provider, each 90- to 120-minute visit allows patients to share as much, or as little, information as they feel comfortable sharing. Patients can share experiences while also learning how to incorporate key elements necessary to live a healthier life. Through hands-on learning, we explore self-management skills to support lifestyle and behavior changes that directly relate to the following medical problems.
Heart disease and associated risk factors: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, pre-diabetes and obesity
Anxiety, depression and stress
Arthritis
Chronic pain
Insomnia and sleep issues
Digestive concerns
Current group medical visit sessions
Mindfulness for Your Health
Beginning can be the hardest part. This introductory series will help you establish a mindfulness practice to support your health. Each visit will incorporate mindfulness teachings and meditation with group sharing and support. Research shows that mindfulness can help relieve stress, reduce suffering from chronic pain, lower blood pressure, improve mental health, improve sleep and increase a sense of well-being. If you are curious about mindfulness and want to learn more, this is a great opportunity to start on that path.
Healthy aging starts with nourishing the mind and body. Eating to age well and physical movement are important factors in preventing cognitive decline. This four-week Group Medical Visit is designed for adults 60 and older who are looking to adopt healthy lifestyle habits and manage chronic conditions to enhance well-being and quality of life. You will focus on what matters to you and what you want your health for as you create your Wellness Action Plan.
Weekly topics of discussion will include: nutritional education for older adults; memory and mood changes; medication management; and fall prevention with a focus on balance, flexibility and strength.
Practicing mindful awareness is a foundational skill in the kitchen. The focus of this six-week Group Medical Visit series is on developing healthy eating and cooking habits in a hands-on, supportive environment. You will gain confidence in the kitchen and learn how eating well can be an additional “medicine” for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, diabetes and/or heart disease. This visit series will help you explore basic cooking techniques using wholesome ingredients, prepare nutritious and satisfying recipes all while learning about the health benefits of different foods along the way. Together, we will learn to build a diet around the Mediterranean anti-inflammatory principles.
Details
Dates: Jan. 12, 19 and 26; Feb. 2, 9 and 16.
Time: 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Providers:Lisa Grant, DO; Matt Plath, chef; and Katie Eby, health coach.
During this five-visit session, we will focus on the health of our hearts. We will discuss the basic mechanisms underlying heart and vascular disease and how we can positively impact these by making simple changes to our lives. We will discuss food and nutrition, exercise, sleep, mindfulness and how to make positive changes in these and other areas of our lives. Discovering how to make these changes will not only protect our hearts, but also our minds so that we can extend both our health span and lifespan.
Dates: Feb. 1, 8, 22; March 1, 8 (no session Feb. 15).
Time: 5:30–7 p.m.
Provider:Tom Wallhaus, MD, and Katie Eby, health coach.
Location: Virtual (meeting link will be provided to patients prior to the start of the series).
Imagine creating lifestyle changes that are better for your health and the environment. This seven-week mindfulness-based Group Medical Visit is aimed at helping to reduce stress, improve your eating habits and increase your physical activity. This visit series will involve hands-on practice with body scanning, mindful eating and walking, compassion meditation, breath awareness and nature appreciation. Participants will be expected to have a smartphone to track physical activity.
Details
Dates: Feb. 28; March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 4, 11
Time: 3–4:45 p.m.
Providers: Bruce Barrett, MD, and Beth Wortzel, LCSW
During this six-session Group Medical Visit, we will focus on living well with atrial fibrillation. Nearly 6 million American adults are affected by this common irregular heart rhythm. Lifestyle risk factors play a large role in how you feel while living with this chronic condition. Together, we will learn to make positive changes to improve your overall health while living with atrial fibrillation. Each visit will incorporate exercise, nutrition and stress-reduction techniques with group sharing and support.
Details
Dates: Feb. 16; March 2, 16 and 30; April 13 and 27.
Locate the class you'd like to register for and select "Add to Cart" and follow the prompts to check out
For virtual classes, a Zoom link will be emailed prior to the first class session
Current and upcoming classes
Simple Strength
Simple Strength focuses on basic strength training exercises while both seated and standing. Exercises are adaptable for a variety of fitness levels. The purpose of this class is to meet your body where you are at to improve overall fitness. Equipment will include a chair, resistance bands and small weights.
Increase total-body flexibility and develop strength using a suspension system. Move your body dynamically and use gravity in a new and challenging way. Prior TRX experience preferred. Appropriate for moderate to advanced fitness levels.
Instructor: Katie Heiser
Price: $36
Dates:
Session 1: Mondays, Jan. 9, 23 and 30 (no class Jan. 16)
You will learn Yang 24 with an emphasis on Qigong through patient and gentle movements. Move with ease and bring balance, strength, and flexibility to your practice.
Instructor: Sara Cotton
Price: $54
Dates: Thursdays, Feb. 9, 16 and 23; March 2 and 9.
This gentle form of yoga is practiced sitting on a chair or using a chair for support during standing poses. Chair yoga helps increase flexibility, lung capacity, circulation and strength, improves balance and relieves stress. Appropriate for all ability levels.
ReBoot is a community exercise program designed for people with neurological conditions as a way to improve physical health in an accessible environment.
Days: Mondays and Wednesdays
Time: 1-2 p.m.
Price: $45 for a four-week session
To register: Contact Megan Lynch, Fitness Supervisor
We offer both a 25-yard, four-lane lap pool and a 90-degree warm water pool to meet the needs of both the casual swimmer and those looking for a competitive edge.
Our fully equipped classroom kitchen offers both culinary and healthy cooking classes for both cooking demonstrations and hands-on activities. Call (608) 440-6600 or visit our online class registration tool to search for classes.
Fitness
The Center for Wellness offers services to support you on your fitness journey to better health.
Fitness assessment
1-on-1 fitness consult and assessment
Includes fitness testing and an exercise plan
Designed to offer guidance and testing
60 minutes: $60 (UW Health employees and patients can receive $20 off)
Personal training
Personal training provides you with safe exercise guidance and instruction from a certified fitness professional. We also offer partner training for participants of a similar fitness level.
1-on-1 workouts
Custom exercise plan
Access to pool and weight room
Can be tailored for health restrictions
Training package: 60 minutes each
* A fitness assessment is required prior to joining
Five sessions: $325 individual/$187.50 partner per person
10 sessions: $600 individual/$350 partner per person
Monthly fitness pass
Cost: $25
When you purchase a one-month fitness pass, you will receive a custom exercise program developed by one of our specialists. Throughout the month you can exercise independently in our Therapy Gym during the designated hours. An exercise specialist will always be present for your safety and will be a resource in answering any questions you may have.
Available Therapy Gym hours:
Mondays and Wednesdays: 4–5 p.m.
* Fitness assessment required for first-time users
Whole health wellness
Health coaching
Our health coaching program helps you improve and empower yourself with:
Personalized 1-on-1 meetings
Realistic plans to help you reach your health goals and make positive changes to your life
Positive reinforcement and support throughout the process
Health coaching at the Center for Wellness
Coaching options
Making changes can be hard. Sometimes a little coaching, support and encouragement is just what you need to keep you on track and make the lasting changes you want.
Three-month session
With our three-month session:
Meet weekly or bi-weekly
First visit is 60 minutes, with subsequent visits 30 minutes or less
Most visits via telephone
Cost: $325
60-minute session
With our 60-minute session:
Meet face-to-face or via telephone
Establish a plan that can be worked on independently
Cost: $80
Dr. Lisa Grant, medical director of the Center for Wellness, explains how the Center can help you on your journey to better health.
Model for wellness
Find support on your journey
Whether you are trying new ways to enjoy physical activity or have been an athlete for a number of years, the UW Health Center for Wellness can support you on your journey to better health through not only exercise, but managing stress and eating better.
Circle of Health
The Circle of Health shows how things impact your overall health.
Inner circle
This represents you and what means the most to you.
Self-care (green)
These are the choices you make every day.
Professional care (dark blue)
Prevention and treatment of disease and illness.
Community
The people and groups who make up your community.
Areas of whole health
Working the body
Includes movement and activities like walking, dancing, gardening, sports, lifting weights, yoga, cycling, swimming and working out in a gym.
Recharge
Getting enough rest, relaxation and sleep.
Food and drink
Eating healthy, balanced meals with plenty of fruits and vegetables each day. Drinking enough water and limiting sodas, sweetened drinks and alcohol.
Personal development
Learning and growing. Developing abilities and talents. Balancing responsibilities where you live, volunteer and work.
Family, friends and co-workers
Feeling listened to and connected to people you love and care about. The quality of your communication with family, friends and people you work with.
Spirit and soul
Having a sense of purpose and meaning in your life. Feeling connected to something larger than yourself. Finding strength in difficult times.
Physical and emotional
Feeling safe. Having comfortable, healthy spaces where you work and live. The quality of the lighting, color, air and water. Decreasing unpleasant clutter, noises and smells.
Power of the mind
Tapping into the power of your mind to heal and cope. Using mind-body techniques like relaxation, breathing or guided imagery.
Professional care
Understand your health concerns and preventive care, care options, treatment plan and role in your health.
