Professional Development

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.  I am a licensed Insurance Broker who has worked in Corporate Employee Benefits for over 20 years.  I have my ACA certification.

As a Corporate Employee Benefits Consultant, I saw the importance of connecting health to worksite wellness.  As a result, I became a Certified Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.  I became a Faculty Member for WELCOA and a Certified Well Workplace Consultant.

My Health Coaching Certification has been my most valuable certification as it allowed me to connect my expertise in Corporate Benefits to my passion for worksite wellness.

Demonstrated Success

As a Corporate Wellness Consultant, I help my clients take a holistic approach to their worksite wellness.   I evaluate their culture and needs.   If claims data is available, I analyze their claims to look for trends.  Based on my evaluation and the claims data, I create a strategic wellness plan and begin the implementation of the programs.

I was approached by the CEO of a Company who wished to change the Culture within his Company.  It was a challenge given their industry and the fact that 80% of their employees travel.   However, it was exciting knowing I had the support of the CEO.

I performed my evaluation and data collection.  Below are the areas of focus along with the outcomes.  This was a two year plan with much participation from the Wellness Committee.

Tobacco use:  We created a tobacco policy, smoke free campus, reimbursement policy for completed tobacco cessation courses and promotion of community resources.  Within two years we had 4 out of 7 smokers quit.

Physical activity:  We promoted community fitness centers and walking trails, offered reimbursement for offsite physical fitness facilities, promoted the onsite fitness facility & offered company paid classes such as yoga, strength training and boot camp.  We offered onsite physical activity team challenges.   The most popular one, requested by the employees was a program similar to the Biggest Loser.  It was a 24 week long program.  We had 60% participation.   As a group, they lost over 600 lbs.  Four individuals lost  50+ lbs each and have kept the weight off.  A few individuals have talked to their doctor about coming off certain prescriptions because of their weight loss and proper nutrition intake.  We also performed biometric screening before and after the program.  10% of the participants improved their biometric numbers.

Nutrition/Weight Management:  We changed the vending machines to healthier options.  We invited employees to participate in a food sampling of the items we were looking to add.   Healthier food options were offered at all company meetings and functions.   The Company also hired me to be onsite 2 hours a week for Health Coaching.  We offered onsite educational seminars and internet based seminars for those employees who couldn’t be onsite.

 Workstation/Ergonomics:  We ensured all workstations were ergonomically sound.  We worked with the Facilities Manager to monitor the facility’s heating, lighting and ventilation.  We incorporated stretch and fitness breaks through the day.

Alcohol/Drugs:  We promoted the Insurance Carrier’s counseling programs as well as the EAP resources.  We provide employees and their dependents with an internet site that included Alcohol/Drugs educational information.

Stress Management:  We offered assistance to help employees address issues on stress management through the EAP, webinars, lunch & learns, Management training and an internet site that included Stress Management and Work/Family educational information.  We highlighted the onsite Health Coaching opportunities for work/family issues.  We offered “Well Days” off for employees.  We created a quiet space for stress breaks.

It took two years, but the culture change has been successful and we are still making improvements!

Leadership

I “walk the talk” by not working with Businesses who are not open to WELCOA’s 7 Benchmarks, as neither party will be successful.  As a Health Coach I live a healthy lifestyle through exercise, good nutrition, managing my stress, giving my body the rest it needs, and forgiving myself when necessary.

Having been in the health insurance industry for 20 years, having always been physically active and health conscious all my life, and my role as a Health Coach have helped me achieve my leadership in my field.

It is important for anyone wanting to be a leader in this field to know that their own experience and success stories are important and a true testimony to who they are.  We are all unique and have a story to tell.   Also, it is important to listen.  Be compassionate as well as passionate.  You need to love what you do.  Most importantly, be a sponge and learn all that you can.

Innovation

I have been innovative by working outside the Nutrition 101 box.  I have generated better results by educating people on alternative health.   I brought meditation experts into the workplace to help employees manage stress and become more mindful, resulting in healthy, happy and more productive employees.   Employees have been educated on detoxification/cleanse programs so they can start to feel better.  We’ve taught employees to grow an organic garden.  We’ve helped employees understand what is in their drinking water and the detriments of chlorine, fluoride, etc.  We’ve educated employees on the benefits of juicing.  There is so much alternative health education that needs to be shared.  This education has created a shift in employees’ thinking.  They realize it is not just about what you eat, but about the water you drink, the air you breathe, the love in your life, spiritual growth, etc.  This is what changes behaviors, thoughts and culture.

Compelling Vision

Americans are too sedentary, obesity is reaching monumental proportions, tobacco use remains popular, stress is rampant, many Americans drink excessively and chronic health conditions continue to plague the population.

I believe the work environment is part of the problem.  The majority of Americans spend most of their waking hours on the job.  They either sit at their computers all day or sit in a car all day.  The workplace is becoming a detriment to our health, with stress being a major contributor.

There has never been a more opportune time for the health promotion industry.   The workplace is an ideal setting for addressing health and well-being.   In the next five years I plan to continue to work with businesses to become part of the solution.  I plan to partner with experts to bring alternative health education to the workplace to change the culture and the health of our nation.