Professional Development
“She’s off to great places, today is her day.  Her mountain is waiting, so get on her way!”  In 2013, Carmen began as DPH’s worksite wellness program intern equipped with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and minor in Public Health.   Within six months, she obtained several fitness certifications (through ACE, ACSM, and more), began pursuit of a Master’s in Public Health from Emory University, and attended several WELCOA webinars, on-line trainings, and WELCOA Summits.   Carmen is most passionate about applying practical skills she has learned through WELCOA with her science-based MPH education. 

Demonstrated Success
 Carmen was a key player in spearheading DPH’s worksite wellness program.  Utilizing data from the most recent biometric screenings, obesity was identified as the dominant health issue.  Weight management through physical activity and healthy eating became our guiding star.  Carmen assisted in opening a 6,500 square foot fitness center with state of the art programs and classes.   This project has served as the “foundation” of our wellness initiative with over 500 members serving a community of nearly 10,000 eligible employees.  A one-of-a-kind program in State of Georgia agencies, other states have inquired of our business plan to start their own state agency fitness centers.   During the first two years of utilization, DPH saw a .3 point drop in employee BMI.  Several employees have noted the “culture of change” that has occurred through the wellness program and newly developed policies that support this change such as our 30 Minute Physical Activity, Lactation Support, and Healthy Eating policies.

 Carmen single-handedly developed numerous health observance programs such as “Smokeout for your Sweetheart,” DPH’s Red Dress Run, and healthy eating programs and collaborations with local health “green” organizations.  These collaborations include working with Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn Curb Farmer’s Market, Healthy Cooking Classes with the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s ‘Georgia Organics’ program, healthy meal delivery through Atlanta’s Project Open Hand/Good Measure Meals, Downtown Atlanta, the Coca-Cola Company and many more.

The success of DPH Worksite Wellness is largely due to capturing CEO buy-in and creating a cohesive wellness team, two of WELCOA’s top Wellness Benchmarks.   Our DPH commissioner wanted healthy employees who exemplified the same behaviors they were advocated in the public.  Carmen created strategic relationships with key executive leadership.  As an advocate for employee health, she sold the concept of wellness as “helping the leader care for the employee.” 

A cohesive team was an easier task.  DPH Worksite Wellness had only a Worksite Wellness Coordinator initially.  Almost initially, DPH employees who were passionate about wellness and fitness were recruited to be program ambassadors.  Ambassadors served as liaisons for the program, teaching fitness classes and helping “cheer” other employees in their wellness journey.  DPH funded group exercise certifications for employees who then taught for free within the fitness center.  Additional employees were trained as American Heart Association BLS/CPR instructors providing certifications at no cost.  Leadership supported employees who took on additional wellness leadership roles.  This model has been the most important key to our success.   We have continued to build upon this success by partnering with the University of Georgia Workplace Health Group and developing our a middle manager’s wellness training serving as the link between onboard leadership and front line employees.

Leadership
From day one, Carmen has “walked the wellness walk.”  She leads from the front by teaching group fitness classes, choosing healthy options, taking the stairs, and participating in local community well-being programs.  She balances her life with her own physical activity and has newly picked up photography.

After attending the 2015 WELCOA Conference, Carmen blossomed into a motivating leader who emulates the behaviors we wish our employees to have.   The creative ideas she learned at the WELCOA Conference, coupled with her innate ability to connect with people, were key to helping our own wellness programming grow.  The WELCOA conference has been a “shining star” in sharing ideas and “re-energizing” wellness leaders to in turn, share this energy with the employees whom they take care of.   Carmen recommends new wellness practitioners attend the annual WELCOA Conference because it “re-instills a sense of purpose for those doing the job every day.”

Innovation
Carmen has developed all of DPH’s social networking initiatives, including our FitBit Community, DPH Intranet Wellness site, affinity groups and more.  One of the biggest programs conducted in 2016 involved a State and District wide physical activity challenge for the “100 Days of Summer.”  Through collaboration with the University of Georgia “Walk Georgia” platform, our 5,000 employees challenged each other in “location-based” teams.  The challenge was a huge success, creating esprit de corp and teambuilding between employees.  A large trophy cup was purchased and will be passed around each year to the winning location.

Carmen assisted in the placement of over 100 physical balls and another 80+ standing workstations for employees in 2016.  Our pilot workstation project found that weight loss and blood pressure decreases occur when standing throughout the day.  UGA Workplace Healthgroup, who collaborated with us on this project, won an award for this research.

Compelling Vision
As our field moves from wellness to wellbeing, it’s important to take into consideration this non-tangible idea of purpose. Moving away from the population level approach associated with fitness assessments and biometric screenings as our first line of defense and moving towards the idea of purpose at the individual level. Studies show having sound purpose is a direct indicator of wellbeing and longevity.  Those with purpose live longer and healthier. My next step is capitalizing on not just the theory of purpose but its application.  I will receive my MPH from Emory University in 2017 and will continue working with State of Georgia Public Health.

People are at the heart of my purpose. Changing lives is what truly matters and moves me. Understanding the impact that I can make amongst the employees in my program is inspiring. Their stories alone inspire me to do more and do better.

"Wherever she fly, she'll be best of the best, wherever she go, she will top all the rest."