Metro-area residents exercising at one of the new University Wellness Centers might have a tough time getting off the treadmill or spin bike and returning to their home or office.

That's because a workout can be more satisfying when you're surfing the Internet on your iPad using  embedded consoles in the equipment that are fully interactive with touch-screen technology. Or, because you're using a free app that allows you to personalize your workouts and track your progress.

The view of the Swiss Alps isn't too shabby, either.

It's all part of the first phase of upgrades at the University of Mississippi Medical Center's University Wellness Centers in Madison, Downtown Jackson and Brandon, all well under way with a target completion by year's end, said Wayne Nunnelee, University Wellness Centers operations manager.

Considering a bomb was about to blow up during a concert on the Jackson State University campus, University of Mississippi Medical Center nursing students Mary Byars and Maura Smith were calm and focused.

“I'm going to learn how to triage in a disaster situation,” said Byars, who with Smith is a first-year student in the School of Nursing.

“I'll respond quickly, on my feet, and figure out the level of importance on who to go help first,” Smith said.

Actually, the coliseum at Jackson State wasn't rocked by an explosive. Instead, nursing students, UMMC emergency employees and JSU's Department of Public Safety were drilled Oct. 9 in how to respond to a mass-casualty scenario in an exercise directed by Dr. Carl Mangum, a SON associate professor and emergency preparedness and response specialist. 

The Office of Student/Employee Health will host the Medical Center's annual Flu Blitz at four locations throughout the Medical Center campus from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, Oct. 15-16.

Flu vaccination compliance is mandatory for all Medical Center employees and students. The flu vaccine is available free of charge through Student/Employee Health.

"Many people don't feel they need the vaccine, because they think they never get the flu," said Dr. Skip Nolan, professor and director of the Division of Infectious Diseases. "This simply isn't true. Everyone gets the flu . .  it just may not present as the full-blown flu syndrome, but as a cold.

"Health-care providers with colds often . . . come to work and infect our vulnerable patients with the flu. Flu in these folks can be fatal."

Flu blitz locations include the clinical sciences walkway, the foyer outside the Rowland Medical Library, the hallway between the old and new University Hospital, and across from the cafeteria in the Winfred L. Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants.

A "mini-blitz" will be held later at the Jackson Medical Mall but the details aren't final.

Employees and students who miss receiving the vaccine during the blitz still can get it in the Office of Student/Employee Health. For more information, call 4-1185 or email flu@umc.edu.

Nurse volunteers are needed to help with the blitz. For more information, click here. 

Employee Giving Campaign activities may be in full swing this week, but a pair of presentations - one about medical education literature strategies, the other on energy balance regulation - should not be overlooked.