HAWC Adapts to Changes Published Sept. 12, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Zachiah Roberson 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The Health and Wellness Center here is implementing various changes to their programs due to recent cutbacks. Leah Melquist, the HAWC health promotion manager, is now the only staff member on duty working to keep classes and programs operational, but she has numerous ideas to continue to improve the HAWC. "If someone comes in with a diet-related issue or specific exercise issues, I am now the only one here, so I will do my best to help as much as I can," said Melquist. With a lack of additional staff, classes will not be held as often as they used to, or may even be discontinued. However, she said the majority of classes still exist and occur as often as possible. Amenities such as calculating body fat percentages and developing nutritional eating plans for people trying to lose weight or eat better no longer fall within the range of programs the HAWC offers for the time being, she said. Melquist recently had new items added to the HAWC and fitness center, including a foam rolling stretch area, an updated relaxation room, a blood pressure machine and more. Melquist has also opened the HAWC to volunteers to help with the running clinic. Anyone on base who wishes to either learn more about the physical fitness field or to volunteer can go into the HAWC and sign up. "I am excited to start working with base volunteers," said Melquist. "The running clinic is awesome and I can have it more often with more volunteers, which is great for people who like or want to try the class." Melquist said she is doing everything she can to keep the programs running for the base to continue to utilize. "Fitness, both physical and mental, is very important to the Airmen of Grand Forks Air Force Base and I will fight to make sure that they can get the help they need at the HAWC," she said. For more information about signing up for classes or volunteering, call the HAWC at 747-5546.