Professional Development

I became a Nurse in 1979, and have devoted my career to helping employees be healthy.  My certifications include:

 Certified Case Manager (CCM) - 1993
 WellCert Certified Wellness Program Coordinator (CWPC)  -  2013
Certified Worksite Wellness Specialist (CWWS) designation.- pending 2014

Being a nurse is my most valuable degree; it provides me with the clinical background, which combined with the WELCOA 7 Benchmarks deliver successful awarding winning programs.  In 2011 and 2012, my customer received the Boston Business Journal Healthiest Employer award.   In 2014, my company, Sargent & Associates received the BBJ Healthiest Employer for small businesses.

Demonstrated Success

In the past four years, the health and wellness program provided to MiddleOak Insurance Company has moved from a participatory to a compliant outcome based wellness program providing   permissible wellness related financial rewards.  In order to receive the full incentive employees must complete an online Health Assessment, receive an annual physical, attend quarterly wellness workshops, set measurable goals with designated health coach and undergo age appropriate screenings for early detection. The program is divided into three levels – Bronze, Silver and Gold. The Bronze program participants are smokers who receive no premium discount.  The Sliver program participants are non-smokers who have not met their established annual goal, but have attended the quarterly wellness workshops.  These individuals are entitled to a 10% premium discount.  The Gold program participants are non-smokers, have met their annual goals, completed screenings including annual physical, attended the quarterly workshops and completed the online Health Assessment.  These individuals are eligible for the full 20% premium discount.

This program has received local and national recognition including for two consecutive years (2011/2012) the Boston Business Journal Healthiest Employer for Mid-Size Employers.  The success of the program was highlighted in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Annual Report for 2013.  I and the Human Resource Manager have spoken at numerous NEHRA and World Congress Conferences.

Our worksite wellness promotion programs empower the “C”-suite to recognize that wellnes is an investment in one of their most important assets, their employees.  We help them to understand that with a comprehensive wellness program we can work together to  improve their employees’ lifestyles by reducing or eliminating their unhealthy behaviors.  Incentives to eat right, lose weight, quit smoking, exercise and learn to handle stress more effectively can assist with engagement.  Moving an employee who has six risk factors (obesity, sedentary, smoker, unhappy, uncontrolled blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol) to only three risk factors cuts their annual health costs by 40%.  And it’s not all about medical costs, 75% of the savings derived from reducing health risk factors and improving the health of your population may be attributed to improvements in absenteeism and presenteeism.

Leadership

As President of a health and wellness company, I am committed to the overall wellness of my employees.  Therefore, in 2012, I implemented a participatory program including biometric screenings, membership to our online health coaching portal and health coaching services. Our program received recognition by being named the BBJ Small Business Healthiest Employer in 2014.  Also for the last two consecutive years we have received the maximum Massachusetts Wellness Tax credit. 

Speaking engagements not previously mention includes:

Greater Boston Corporate Wellness Forum

“Inside Workings of a Successful Wellness Program”

A Work Related Injury Conference at Braintree Rehab Hospital

“Workers Health and Wellness: Impact on Injuries and

Disabilities: Wellcomp”

NECOEM

“The Positive Effects of Wellness Programs on

Workers’ Compensation Atlantic Charter Insurance Company

“Why Wellness in the Workplace

Worksite Wellness Council of MA

“How to Qualify for the MA Wellness Tax Incentive”

Greater Boston Occupational Health Nurse Association (GBAOHN)

“Integrating Health & Wellness Within the Management of Injuries

Innovation

An innovative community health idea is my monthly cable television show entitled, Choose Health. My guests include health care providers, health educators, therapists, counselors, holistic nurses, and various other health and community professionals offering education and information on a variety of health and wellness related topics.  The topics have ranged from juvenile diabetes, mindfulness meditation, vision care, musculoskeletal injuries, weight loss/bariatric surgery, cancer, mental clarity/memory and influenza.  In addition to them airing in several surrounding communities, I make them available as a free educational resource for my customers on my company webpage. It has been interesting to receive feedback from viewers on changes they may have implemented to combat chronic illnesses or enhance a healthier lifestyle.  I even received a call from a woman wanting to receive additional assistance and provided her with one on one telephonic health coaching. 

Compelling Vision

In the next five years the Health Promotion Industry will significantly grow with a special emphasis on education and awareness and the communication of health and wellness programs.  As more and more baby boomers retire the workplace will be replaced with Generation X and Y employees and the Generation Z will be beginning to enter the workforce.  The late 20th and early 21st century employees will continue to seek  technology to educate them on living a healthier lifestyle.