1. Professional Development:

I received my BS degree in Human Nutrition/Dietetics from Colorado State University and earned my Registered Dietitian status from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). After working for the American Heart Association and in clinical/outpatient nutrition for over 15 years, I began managing a research-based University health and wellness program. In 2014, I became a Certified WELCOA Faculty member. This certification process helped me apply best practices and make a difference in the lives of others. I have found the WELCOA resources and my MA coursework in Personal and Organizational Wellness (degree anticipated 5/2017, Magna Cum Laude) of most value. 

2. Demonstrated Success:

In 2012, after completing health risk appraisals, health culture audits and focus groups (Benchmark #3) an operational plan (Benchmark #4) was developed with the feedback from employees.  These steps were repeated in 2015. Our plan drives all the interventions that are conducted with input from our campus community.  One of our goals from this plan is to increase opportunities and access for regular moderate to vigorous physical activity for all employees.  Ways that we incorporate this at our workplace is by offering walking workshops, designated sneaker days, encourage walking meeting and group purpose walks.

In 2016, we took this to another level when we integrated WELCOA's On the Move (OTM) initiative. OTM challenged our employees by combining physical activity in the form of walking along with well-being principle’s (Benchmark #5). The on-line platform encouraged tracking movement, learning, sharing, assessing and social support in the form of boosting. This intervention encouraged leadership, teamwork and friendly competition. The OTM program ran for 12-weeks from April to June 2016. We had 121 employees participate (from all-levels of the organizations, including our University President) with ongoing encouragement from our site coordinator, Denise Normandin and over 30 Wellness Champions (Benchmark #1 & #2). PSU received the On the Move "Top 25 Most Active Company" designation from WELCOA.

Our employee participation rate was over 92%, included the following outcomes measures (Benchmark #3 & #7):

- PSU employees who met CDC guidelines for physical activity recommendations-doubled.

- 93% of the PSU employees migrated into activity category assoc. with wt. loss and health improvement with zero reporting sedentary lifestyle.

- 35% more employees reduced their sitting time outside of work. 

- 21% increase in employees believing their organization supported them in PA efforts. 

Healthy PSU continues to create supportive environments with point of decision prompts; welcome to our smoke and tobacco free campus signs, working on wellness door hangers, walking route maps, take the stairs and pole banners promoting Healthy People in a Healthy PlaceTM (Benchmark #6).

Biometric screenings and health risk assessments continue to assist us in determining our population's health-related risks. Starting in 2015, our employees received up to $400 incentive for completing the biometric screening and health assessment with consistent participation rates of 60%. Employee’s also regularly complete satisfaction and future interest surveys.
 
Plymouth State University recently released the Strategic Plan, Focus 2020.  In the plan for the first time is a goal specific to health and wellness (Benchmark #1)-Goal 5: PSU will distinguish itself as a holistic health and wellness-centered environment.  Having this goal demonstrates the expanding impact that the Healthy PSU campaign is having on the organization’s culture of health. We align our efforts utilizing evidence-based research methods and best practice models, like WELCOA on-line trainings and summit meetings.

3. Leadership:

Leadership is mainly accomplished by listening and meeting our employees where they are at which is key to creating cultural shifts.  I have led the charge of creating a culture of health at PSU, while empowering a group of over 30 Wellness Champions to communicate, engage and promote our wellness campaign. I have been invited to share our Healthy PSU program outcomes/accomplishments at National conferences, 2015 American Journal of Health Promotion and 2016 American College of Lifestyle Medicine. These organizations, along with WELCOA helped me acheive a leadership role in the field of health promotion through professional development training, relationship building and networking. I would advise other wellness practitioners to consider establishing and broadening networks to share the great work you do! Consider yourself an agent of change and do not be afraid to “Dream Big!”

4. Innovation:

I have contributed to the advancement of the industry by empowering individuals to move more during the work day to curb physical inactivity. Being passionate about making a difference and listening to what our employee's fitness dreams were from participating in WELCOA’s On the Move (OTM) Challenge, inspired the innovative idea of PSU Summit Day: On the Move…Striving for the Summit! We established a multi-disciplinary team (including National external wellness partners) to plan, organize and implement PSU Summit Day. This project inspired moving outdoors, hiking up the tallest peak in New Hampshire, Mt. Washington (6,288 elevation) on 10/15/2016. Each participant engaged a hiking buddy and established a purposeful intention for this day hike. The experiences gathered from the OTM initiative and PSU Summit Day have inspired a sense of community building and social connectedness at PSU like no other programs we have implemented.

5. Compelling Vision:

I believe employers and families are concerned now more than ever with rising healthcare costs. Health and wellness professionals have a unique opportunity to educate, provide guidance, advocate for policy change and create environments for people to thrive! There is no better time than the present, given the current state of inactivity during the school and work day, than to promote “purpose driven” physical movement and more holistic approaches to health. Research tells us investing in “people” is the right thing to do. We need to empower people to lead with good intention and inspire compassion. We are all human beings and when we feel cared about, we are more connected and more engaged to those around us. We are also more likely to make better health choices. Focus on "BEING" and DREAM BIG…because together we can start a movement in America towards improved health and well-being for all!