Save While Investing in Your Whole-Person Health

Duke Health & Well-Being offers discounts on fitness memberships, acupuncture and more

A collage featuring photos of a gym, a labyrinth, a pool, a yoga room and people working out.
Clockwise from top left, Duke Health & Well-Being offers a state-of-the-art fitness facility, a peaceful setting, a pool, meditation spaces and, at center, one-on-one health coaching. Photos courtesy of Duke Health & Well-Being and Stephen Schramm.

Since becoming a Duke Health & Fitness Center member in the summer of 2023, Ramona Rodriguiz
has started most weekdays with workouts around daybreak.

At first, Rodriguiz, 60, saw her morning sessions on weight machines and treadmills as a way to feel healthy and strengthen a right arm weakened by what she thought was a shoulder injury.

Since February, when Duke neurologists diagnosed the weakness in her arm as a symptom of Parkinson’s disease, the morning workouts are an essential well-being strategy for Rodriguiz, a Senior Research Associate
in Duke’s Division of Behavioral Medicine & Neurosciences.

“Our goal is to hold the symptoms where they are or even push them a little bit into remission,” said Rodriguiz, who crafted a custom Parkinson’s-focused training plan with Health & Fitness Center Exercise Physiologist Cheyanne Oakley.

Duke Health & Fitness Center member Ramona Rodriguiz, left, works out alongside Exercise Physiologist Cheyanne Oakley. Photo by Stephen Schramm.

Nestled among the pines on the Duke Center for Living Campus off Erwin Road, the Health & Fitness Center is part of Duke Health & Well-Being, a collection of facilities designed to enrich the full spectrum of health. Among them is Duke Integrative Medicine, which combines Duke physicians and innovative healing practices in a tranquil setting.

Staff and faculty can experience many of Duke Health & Well-Being’s services at a discount through the Duke employee discount program. Among the discounts available are 15% off yoga and massage therapy and acupuncture sessions at Duke Integrative Medicine. These services are not covered by Duke’s employee medical plans.

“We’re convenient, and we offer a lot,” said Teresa Keever, Associate Vice President for Duke Health & Well-Being. “We have beautiful facilities and an awesome staff that truly cares about you and helping you with your goals, whatever they may be.”

Bridget Fletcher, Pratt School of Engineering Managing Director for Graduate Student Programs & Services, finds mental balance and relief from headaches with monthly acupuncture sessions.

Duke Integrative Medicine offers acupuncture and massage services as well as yoga classes and spaces to meditate. Photo courtesy of Duke Health & Well-Being.

“It’s a very calming experience,” Fletcher said. “You’re in a quiet, spa-like space for 20 or 30 minutes on your own, letting the needles do their work and allowing you relax.”

Staff and faculty also receive 15% off memberships to the Health & Fitness Center, a 30,000-square foot fitness facility offering a spacious workout space, saltwater pool, indoor and outdoor tracks, and group workout classes.

Rodriguiz, who uses the discount for her membership, said the Parkinson’s disease diagnosis has given her an extra sense of purpose to morning workouts. The center’s warm and welcoming staff, its peaceful setting, and the energy boost from each morning visit keep her coming back.

“I’m so lucky to be here at Duke, not just because I have access to doctors who helped diagnose this, but also because we have this magnificent facility,” Rodriguiz said.

Visit hr.duke.edu/discounts or a full list of savings available from Duke Health & Well-Being as well as other area businesses and vendors. Your NetID may be needed to access deals.