Professional Development

Inspired by my faith and the overwhelming need for health intervention in my community, I decided to pursue a BS in Kinesiology at Mississippi State University. During this time I worked as Personal Trainer, Certified Tobacco Cessation Specialist, and Group Exercise Instructor at a Wellness Center. After witnessing wellness initiatives beyond fitness such as tobacco cessation therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, group nutrition classes, etc., I realized that I wanted to further my education. I decided to pursue a MS in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Cardiac Rehabilitation. My graduate degree/experience has been the most valuable venture for my career.

Demonstrated Success

I designed a Walking Campaign for a Steel Mill manufacturing employees called Walking Interstate 55: Keeping the Cards and Cubs Rivalry Alive. This was not the most “traditional” campaign name; however, my team and I knew that this would be the one thing that would get employees to participate…sports, competition, and a local rivalry. The goal was to get employees to work toward taking 10,000 steps per day in effort to reach the recommendations for physical activity. The underlying objective was to get the employees to buy into wellness! To our surprise this intervention was more successful than we anticipated. Of the four 6-12-week wellness campaigns initiated with these employees this particular campaign had the highest registration and program completion percentage. Participants in this campaign who were also in health coaching were more engaged in coaching; we also had a higher percentage of graduates (graduation was based on having fewer than 4 health risk) from the health coaching program than we had in years past.  Participants report walking more and being more conscience of their activity levels. Employees began to understand the difference between exercise and being physically active at work. There were more testimonials shared following this campaign than others. Most importantly, this campaign shifted the perception of wellness among these employees. Employees were more excited and receptive of wellness following the conclusion of this campaign than had been before. 

Benchmark #2 We worked through the wellness team to promote this campaign and assist in maintaining its momentum throughout its duration. Benchmark #5 Choosing appropriate Interventions. We knew that this was an area of need and desire for those participating. Benchmark #3 Collecting Data to drive Health Efforts.

Leadership

I strive to follow the same health recommendations that I encourage my fellow colleagues and clients to follow. I have organized and participated in company recreational sports leagues and social events where internal colleagues socialize during and/or after work hours. I also stay physically active by taking an hour break to attend my Crossfit class.  I am fortunate to have a very supportive manager who has been a great resource. Being a follower of a great leader is the most influential experience I have had in being developed into a leader. Leading various projects, serving as a workgroup leader on my internal work team has also been a great experience for leadership development. My advice to prospective wellness practitioners is to find an accredited professional organization such as WELCOA to become of member.  Attend workshops and seminars. Invest time in staying current on case studies, research articles, and trending health resources. Always seek to continue your education.

Innovation

I invest lots of time into building and strengthening my client’s wellness champion network. Because the Champions are the gateway increasing employee engagement and program success, I am focused on Wellness Champions having a more active role in program delivery. I invite Wellness Champions to be my co-presenter’s when delivering information to employees, created more opportunities for Wellness Champions to share their stories and successes in various venues, Involve leadership in meetings with Wellness Champions, provided Wellness Champions with employee participation statistics throughout wellness initiatives.  For those Champions that have seized the opportunity to take an active role are in the wellness program, have greater rates of employee participation, submitted more testimonials which are associated with more health improvements, they offer more onsite wellness activities such as wellness challenges, lunch and learns, exercise classes, etc therefore giving their employees more opportunity to make those behavior changes. These efforts lead to changes within the culture as it pertains to Wellness.

Compelling Vision

My concern for the Health Promotion field is that building relationships, being personable, and in person intervention is essential in assisting employees make behavior changes. Some advancements in technology (not all advancements because most  are great) seems to be removing the aspect of wellness that use to make employees feel like they have a real support system as they endeavor to make changes. If we lose, what about those individuals who believe they cannot be successful alone?

I will continue to explore innovative ways to empower Health Professional to assist others find their spark to make the behavior changes that they desire to make. While being creative in appealing to those who like desire, inspiration, and confidence to make behavior changes.