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
Diabetes Awareness Month: “A Community Conversation”
Wednesday, November 20 (Coincides with Diabetes Awareness Month)
6 – 8 p.m.
Join us for an engaging and informative evening as we come together to raise awareness about diabetes. This event, held in conjunction with Diabetes Awareness Month, aims to foster a supportive community dialogue around the challenges and advancements in diabetes care and management. Hear from leading healthcare professionals and researchers about the latest in diabetes treatment and prevention. With Joshua Joseph, MD. Registration is required.
Rooted in Life: Organ Donation
Wednesday, December 18
6 – 8 p.m.
Are you Rooted in Life? We invite you to participate in an enlightening panel discussion to better understand organ, eye and tissue donation! We’ll unpack the connection between donation and the Black community, engage in conversations about the donation process and hear personal stories from community members. Together, we can break down misconceptions, explore cultural perspectives, and promote awareness in our community. Your voice and questions matter — join us to make a difference!
Special Activities
Community Care Coach
At the Healthy Community Center the fourth Wednesday of every month. This quarter: November 13 and December 11
The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Community Care Coach is a state-of-the-art health unit on wheels that looks just like a doctor’s office inside so we can bring our expert health care team to you. Services include primary care, prenatal and women’s health, physicals, health screenings, immunizations and lab services. All patients are accepted regardless of ability to pay. We accept Medicaid, Medicare and all major insurances.
To view our schedule, visit wexnermedical.osu.edu/healthy-community/care-coach. To schedule your appointment, call 614-293-CARE.
Moms2B
Every Thursday
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
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 health care professionals and make new friends. Walk-ins are welcome. Call Moms2B at 614-292-1605 for more information.
Senior Activities
Join us at 10 a.m. on the third Tuesday of every month for our senior series with Ohio State Extension Educator Loretta Sweeney.
Dealing with stress and depression during the holidays
Tuesday, November 19
10 – 11 a.m.
The holidays can be a stressful time of year. Learn effective strategies for coping with stress and depression.
WITS Workout
Tuesday, December 17
10 – 11 a.m.
Let’s have some fun together this holiday season! Join us for an engaging, interactive, and educational brain health program. No special equipment needed; we’ll use pen and paper to play stimulating mind games and activities.
Cooking Classes
You don’t have to sacrifice flavor to make your Thanksgiving dinner healthier. Join Chef Laura for healthy makeovers of several favorite side dish recipes.
Join us for a cooking demonstration as a prelude to the Diabetes Awareness Community Conversation at 6pm. We’ll discuss foods and diets to help people living with diabetes preserve their eye health. This event is sponsored by the Havener Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences.
The holidays are filled with tempting treats, but you can still enjoy festive flavors without derailing your healthy habits. From sweet to savory, you’ll learn snack ideas to keep your energy up and your cravings in check during the holiday season.
Eating healthy during the holiday season can be challenging when we are tempted with so many delicious, sweet treats. In this class, we’ll explore some alternative dessert ideas to satisfy your sweet tooth without all the guilt.
Macaroni and cheese is the ultimate in comfort food, but we shouldn’t have to feel guilty for enjoying it. Learn how to make a healthier homemade version of this American classic.
Sheet pan dinners are the new casseroles: your entire meal is cooked on one pan for a quick and easy, hands-off cooking experience, and clean-up is a cinch – only one pan to wash! Just what we need during this busy time of year.
Impress your guests this holiday season with nutrient-dense, delicious meals. Join Registered Dietitian Cameron Stauffer and Chef Mike Carnahan of The James Mobile Education Kitchen for a healthful holiday cooking demonstration. Learn how to incorporate plants into your holiday dishes without sacrificing flavor.
Fitness Classes
Join 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.
This program offers a blend of mobility, strength, stamina, and flexibility exercises, motivating seniors to embrace a healthier lifestyle for improved quality of life.
This program offers a blend of mobility, strength, stamina, and flexibility exercises, motivating seniors to embrace a healthier lifestyle for improved quality of life.
Discover how Tai Chi can revitalize your body and mind. Join Andi Sie for a transformative class designed to enhance your inner strength, balance, flexibility, and overall well-being. As a certified 13th-generation Chen 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—Andi brings authentic expertise and centuries-old wisdom to every session.
This class is suitable for all levels, offering the flexibility to practice seated or standing. Each session builds on the last, guiding you to cultivate energy flow, relaxation, and harmony throughout the series.
Want to improve your physical and mental balance? Developed by Dr. Paul Lam at the Tai Chi for Health Institute, this program uses Sun style forms to improve relaxation, balance, flexibility, and arthritis pain. The movements can be done seated or standing. Classes are offered as a series and do build on one another. It’s okay to miss an occasional class, but please know that by registering you are committing to the full series.
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! No need to sign up, just come as you are. Mats and water are encouraged. We can't wait to see you there!
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! No need to sign up, just come as you are. Mats and water are encouraged. We can't wait to see you there!
Get ready to sweat it out with the most exhilarating workout around! This class combines hot Latin rhythms with easy-to-follow moves for a full-body workout that feels like a celebration. You’ll burn calories and fat, dance to great music, totally tone your body and relieve stress.
Unleash your inner rockstar while burning calories with Cardio Drumming! It’s not just a workout; it’s a rhythm-filled party that energizes your body and soul. No prior drumming skills needed – just a desire to have fun and get fit! You’ll burn calories like never before, tone your muscles and build endurance, boost your mood and relieve stress and connect with others in a vibrant community.
Beginner to intermediate Vinyasa yoga class, where movement meets mindfulness. Through a series of flowing sequences and held postures, you'll cultivate strength, flexibility and balance. Affirmations and shavasana sound bath will seal in the practice, empowering you to embody confidence, compassion, and clarity. Leave feeling revitalized, renewed and radiant.
A gentle full-body restorative yoga session designed to help you restore and cultivate a sustainable practice for everyone. This 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.