We’ve developed a great list of events and activities at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Healthy Community Center (1600 E. Long St.). Please check back often to see what’s new or sign up for our newsletter to get center updates and a regular listing of upcoming events and activities. Everyone is welcome to participate and attend.
How to register for an event or class
Please register before the event or first class in a series. In some cases, we can add you as a late entry if space allows, but it's best to secure your spot ahead of time.
If you're unable to register online, please call or stop by the center in person to sign up.
Wellness Wednesdays
This informative and interactive session will provide valuable insights for embracing the aging process with vitality, purpose, and confidence. Expert speakers will share practical tips on maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health as we grow older. Learn about the importance of exercise, nutrition, social connections, and mindfulness, and discover ways to enhance your overall wellbeing.
Whether you're looking to age gracefully or support a loved one on their journey, this event is designed to empower you to live your best life at every stage. Don't miss out on this opportunity to explore the keys to aging successfully!
Special events
Moms2B is a weekly prenatal education program in partnership with the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. You will have the chance to learn how to have a healthy baby and pregnancy, talk with healthcare professionals, and make new friends. Walk-Ins are welcome.
Call Moms2B at 614-292-1605 for more information.
Senior Classes
Education program from 10 – 11 a.m.
Individual memory screenings from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Program presented by the African American Alzheimer’s & Wellness Association, Kim Wilson-Lawson, Executive Director.
Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering and reasoning — to such an extent that it interferes with a person's daily life and activities. This interactive presentation will empower attendees by equipping them with the knowledge of what happens in the brain of someone with dementia. We will share proactive ways to care for those with dementia as well as ways to reduce the risk of dementia for yourself.
If you are a caregiver, you are welcome to bring the person you are caring for to this presentation. Memory screenings and PHQ-9 Depression screenings will be offered.
Simplifying your life does not mean losing your memories. Learn ways to preserve your memories and save your valuable space. Presented by Loretta Sweeney, Ohio State University Extension Educator.
Cooking Classes
Join us on the third Monday of every month for Italian cooking classes with a diabetes-friendly twist. We often hear that we can’t eat pasta with diabetes, but we’re here to prove that myth wrong. In this four-part series, you will learn how you can still enjoy Italian cuisine while staying within your dietary guidelines. From risotto to hand-made ravioli, Chef Jo will lead us on a culinary tour of Italy!
The Pasta Equation: Fun and fresh Diabetes-friendly pasta ideas
Monday, February 17 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Noodles are enjoyed across the world, particularly in Italian cuisine. In this cooking demonstration, Chef Jo will explain how to apply the Diabetes Plate Method to build your favorite pasta dishes and unlock endless combinations to enjoy along the way!
Featured recipe: Pasta with crushed tomatoes, spinach, roasted chicken and asparagus
In this four-part series from the American Heart Association, we’ll explore staple foods that are commonly used in cuisines around the world. In each class, we will demonstrate and sample heart-healthy ways to prepare these favorite food staples. Attend one class or all four!
Rice & Bean recipes from around the world
Friday, January 10 from 12 – 1 p.m.
Featured recipe: North African Gumbo
Corn recipes from around the world
Friday, January 17 from 12 – 1 p.m.
Featured recipe: Mexican street vendor corn and bean salad
Potato recipes from around the world
Friday, January 24 from 12 – 1 p.m.
Featured recipe: Mulligatawny soup from India
Chicken recipes from around the world
Friday, January 31 from 12 – 1 p.m.
Featured recipe: Szechuan chicken stir-fry
JD Flournoy is the Executive Chef at Alfie’s Granville, a prominent social media influencer and resident here on the Near East Side.
Knife Skills
Monday, January 13 from 5 – 7 p.m.
Sharpen your culinary confidence in this hands-on class designed for cooks of all levels. Learn the fundamentals of knife safety and practice cutting and chopping techniques to make cooking at home more efficient and enjoyable.
Note: This class is limited to adults 18 and over.
Meal Prepping 101 Series
In this series of hands-on cooking classes, Chef JD will explore meal planning and preparation techniques in depth. Each week will focus on a different aspect of the meal prepping process, helping you build the skills and confidence to plan and prepare budget-friendly, healthy meals at home.
Saving your money – Monday, January 27 from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
In this class, we’ll discuss strategies for planning meals and shopping with a budget in mind.
Saving your time – Monday, February 3 from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Learn how to minimizing the time spent in the kitchen so you can spend more time on the things that matter most in life.
Saving your health – Monday, February 10 from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
We’ll conclude this series by exploring how meal prepping can help you achieve your health goals through consistency and macronutrient tracking.
Join Chef Laura and Nutrition experts for cooking demonstrations exploring various aspects of heart-healthy cooking during Heart Health Month in February.
Heart healthy cooking to lower cholesterol
Thursday, February 6 from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Featured recipes: Black bean burgers with baked kale chips
Smart seasoning for low-sodium cooking
Thursday, February 20 from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Featured recipe: Turkey tacos (plant-based alternative available)
Flavors of the Mediterranean: Heart healthy cooking with the Mediterranean Diet
Thursday, February 27 from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Featured recipe: Shakshuka
Fitness Classes
Line dancing with the Pickett Sisters
January 6 – February 24 from 6 – 7 p.m. in rooms 120 and 140Join our vibrant R&B line dancing community! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced dancer, we’ve got something for you. Our classes are set to soulful R&B, hip-hop, oldies and pop music, creating a fun and energetic atmosphere.
Strong, active and fit with Mary Curry
January 7 – February 25 from 9:15 – 10 a.m. in room 155A combination of mobility, strength, stamina and flexibility exercises for seniors and encouragement for a new healthy lifestyle for a better quality of life.
Balance with Andi Sie (Tai Chi)
January 7 – February 25 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in room 155
Join Andi Sie for a transformative Tai Chi class designed to enhance your inner strength, balance, flexibility, and overall well-being. Andi is a certified 13th- generation Tai Chi disciple with over 20 years of training under Master Chen Bing, a direct descendant of the family that founded Tai Chi more than 400 years ago. This class is suitable for all levels, offering the option to practice seated or standing. Each session builds on the previous one, helping you cultivate energy flow, relaxation, and harmony throughout the series. Discover how the original Tai Chi can revitalize your body and mind. This class takes place twice a week (Tues./Thurs.).
Pilates sculpt with Jasmine Jones
January 9 – February 25 from 6 – 7 p.m. in room 155
Get ready to feel fabulous in our contemporary mat Pilates class! This is your chance to warm up both body and spirit while flowing through energizing moves. Bring a towel – things might get a little toasty! We can’t wait to see you there!
Battle ready boot camp with Neale Davis
January 8 – February 26 from 6 – 7 p.m. in room 155 (No class January 29 and February 26)
Get ready to torch calories and build serious muscle! This class combines dynamic cardio bursts, strength-building circuits and functional training drills to burn fat, sculpt lean muscle and boost endurance—all in one powerful session.
Designed to push your limits and keep your heart rate soaring, this class will challenge you with military-inspired movements and interval training. Whether you’re conquering battle ropes, crushing bodyweight exercises or powering through weighted drills, you’ll leave feeling stronger, leaner and ready to take on anything. Step into the arena. Burn big. Build strong. Get Battle Ready!
Strong, active and fit with Mary Curry
January 9 – February 27 from 9:15 – 10 a.m. in room 155A combination of mobility, strength, stamina and flexibility exercises for seniors and encouragement for a new healthy lifestyle for a better quality of life.
Pilates Sculpt with Jasmine Jones
January 9 – February 27 from 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. in room 155Get ready to turn up the heat in this 60-minutes Pilates class, where you’ll feel the burn and break a sweat. Bring a towel and get ready to sculpt and strengthen your body in a whole new way. Join us for Thursday Sweaty Pilates and feel the burn!
Balance with Andi Sie (Tai Chi)
January 9 – February 27 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in room 155
This transformative Tai Chi class is designed to enhance your inner strength, balance, flexibility and overall well-being. Andi is a certified 13th- generation Tai Chi disciple who has 20+ years of training under Master Chen Bing, a direct descendant of the family that founded Tai Chi over 400 years ago.
This class is suitable for all levels, offering the option to practice seated or standing. Each session builds on the previous one, helping you cultivate energy flow, relaxation and harmony throughout the series. Discover how the original Tai chi can revitalize your body and mind.
Universal Balance Yoga with Malik Willoughby
January 9 – February 27 from 6 – 7 p.m. in room 155Beginner to intermediate Vinyasa yoga class where movement meets mindfulness with a series of flowing sequences and held postures. The floor sequence features 3-5 minutes of meditation, a pranayama three-part breath practice, grounding techniques, a seated warm-up, kneeling and seated poses, tension release exercises and concludes with Savasana.