The Center's Wellness Program: Walking the Walk!

By Kim Nordin, Program Coordinator

We not only talk the talk, we walk the walk!

Happy National Rural Health Day week! At the National Rural Health Resource Center (The Center), we will be celebrating with a group walk and healthy food potluck on Thursday. Check out our Facebook page for photos! As a national leader in rural health, we at The Center recognize the importance and responsibility of being a best practice model for all things health.

This is the seventh month of our workplace wellness program, and today, I’m thinking about worksite wellness programs, which are a form of preventative health and can greatly impact a rural community’s health. I outlined The Center’s Wellness-a-thon in my last blog post, if you’re interested in learning more about it.

Joe and Margo, part of Team Centerites,

during a 5k benefiting the local YMCA

youth program. This was their 

first 5k and they rocked it! 

My favorite part of the Wellness-a-thon has been the weekly challenges. These weekly challenges target key wellness focus areas and challenge staff to try something new, learn something new, or focus on an aspect of health that we may not always think about.

“The weekly challenges put all aspects of wellness on your daily radar.” 

The main driver of our program and the reason I am so passionate about the importance of workplace wellness programs is that the future health care business model is based on patient value. The goal is to minimize the cost of care and enhance the overall health status of a given population by providing care (or supporting wellness) at the EARLIEST point in the care continuum. This approach redefines health care as an activity that includes far more than sick care and acute interventions. Worksite wellness programs are a good place to start.

“Healthy hospitals are a cornerstone of a healthy community.”

What better place for worksite wellness programs than hospitals, which are often the biggest employer in rural communities? They play an important role as respected leaders and role models in health and wellness in the communities they serve. If rural hospitals build a sustainable support system for employee health and wellness, the impact on the rural community’s population health is huge.

Angie, Alyssa, Kami, Joe and me, during one of our quarterly wellness activities: A surrey bike ride on the lake walk! Note: It’s more of a workout than it looks! 

Worksite wellness at The Center is having a positive impact as the program reaches its seventh month. We have engaged in several weekly challenges, and staff members track their progress in one master spreadsheet, which allows us to see our progress as a group.

Some weekly staff challenges:

• Workplace humor week - send a co-worker something funny
• Participate in a random act of kindness
• Positivity challenge week – read the tips provided and challenge yourself to take on a more positive attitude
• Schedule one health related appointment
• No cell phone use while in your vehicle
• Walk/bike to work
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day
• Participate in a fitness class
• Take the stairs (Our offices are on the 3rd and 4th floors)
• No sugary (soda) beverages during work

Recently, I sent a out survey to evaluate the program in a short five-question format. Staff members were asked to use a Likert scale of 1-4 where 4= Love it!, 3= It’s good to have, 2= It could be better, and 1= Total waste. 11 out of 17 (65%) of our staff responded. Overall, the wellness program was scored a 3.44 out of 4, which is pretty good for our first seven months!

Positive comments about the program: 

• It’s (The Wellness-a-thon is) very comprehensive. I enjoy the tips and wellness updates on Sharepoint.
• My own (health) patterns have improved, but in actuality less than my intention. I continue to appreciate the shared goals!
• Nice to have comradery. There could be more support between staff.
• I'm more mindful of specific wellness habits: e.g. not driving/texting
• It helps me be more conscious of things, though I haven't changed behaviors (at least permanently) because of it
• Down 15 lbs. and adding some muscle since December 2013 by committing to exercising
• I enjoy the weekly challenges and sharing info on Sharepoint
• We all work so hard on multiple projects which can be isolative (including extensive travel), however maintaining rapport and trust with coworkers is critical. The activities have promoted a positive morale and trust/communication.
• I really, really liked it. I liked the focus on all types of health and I must admit that if there was a day I was tempted not to exercise, I would because I wanted my points. The individual coupled with group goals was brilliant!
• I think every office needs some sort of wellness and "morale" committee that plans regular activities like this. Because our organization is rooted in health, it is especially imperative. The activities have been very creative and fun. The reminders on Sharepoint are also great, especially the list of reasons to be grateful and positive. Thank you for making this a priority.

Since the inception of the program, all but one staff member participated. With that participation rate, we will definitely continue the program. I’d like to kick off the next year with health risk assessments and health screening for all employees. Everyone will start the year with a personal health goal and a way to measure it. This will help us to track our accomplishments.

I’m proud of our program. We’re having fun and taking care of our minds and bodies! Can you say that about your workplace?

Rhonda, Kami, Leslie and me, enjoying a mid-day yoga class in the courtyard of our office building. Wellness Warriors!