Work Place Wellness

Karlos E. GarzaTexas Department of State Health Services

Region 8Blue Ribbon Internship Program

Spring 2016

Introduction• Karlos E. Garza• 1st Year Masters Public Health Student• University of Texas School of Public Health

• Placement • DSHS, Region 8• Preceptor: Katherine Velasquez, PhD, R.N.

- Program Manager of Specialized Health & Social Services- Worksite Wellness Committee Facilitator

Internship Objectives & Activities

• Use research literature to recommend, develop, and implement new workplace wellness activities.

• Develop and execute procedures for the wellness resource library.

• Analyze 2015 employee wellness survey and compare to 2013 results in order to assess staff needs and evaluate committee programs.

• Develop monthly one page Bits and Tips newsletters for the wellness bulletin board.

DSHS Region 8• 28 counties throughout South Central Texas

• 14 field offices

• ~ 156 staff members located throughout the Region 8 area

CountiesAtascosa KarnesBandera KendallBexarKerrCalhoun KinneyComal La SalleDeWitt LavacaDimmit MaverickEdwards MedinaFrio RealGillespie UvaldeGoliad Val VerdeGonzales VictoriaGuadalupe WilsonJackson Zavala

Region 8

Why is worksite wellness important?

• Promotes good health and wellbeing.

• Educates staff on various health topics.

• Prevents and reduces injury and chronic illness.

• Improves overall health and productivity.

Worksite Wellness in Region 8• Wellness Committee established in January 2013.

• Two employee needs assessment have been conducted; the first one in June 2013 and the second one in October 2015.

• Brand and logo were established in January 2014.

Workplace Wellness Committee Members

• Dr. Katherine Velasquez • (Manager, SHSS)

• Ana Anguiano• HIV Surveillance Coordinator,

San Antonio• Bridget Wahler, RN• Family and Community

Health, Bandera• Norma Cardona-Price• Family and Community Health,

Kerrville• Glenda Garcia• TB, Eagle Pass

• Elvia Ledesma, MPH• Manager, Epidemiology, San

Antonio• Mark Mullings• Public Health Emergency

Preparedness, San Antonio• Karlos Garza• Intern Wellness Coordinator

• Tenia Houck, RN• Family and Community Health,

Boerne• Yolanda Yzquierdo• TB, Eagle Pass

2013• 24 multiple choice and

open-ended questions.

• 102 out of 128 (79.69%) Region 8 employees completed the survey.

• Survey results were collected for 6 weeks.

2015• 29 multiple choice and

open-ended questions.

• 97 out of 156 (62.18%) Region 8 employees completed the survey.

• Survey results were collected for 4 weeks.

To monitor the health status of staff and develop a strategy in planning future initiatives addressing their needs and interests.

2013/2015 Data Assessment Details

2013/2015 Data Assessment Results

Overw

eight

or Obe

se

No or in

suffi

cient

exerc

ise

No HRA or

Ann

ual P

hysic

al0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Assessment Questions Addressed

20132015

2013/2015 Data Assessment Results (cont.)

2013 20150%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%Health Goal(s) Most Selected

Lose weight Get in shapeHealthier eating habits Become more active

2013/2015 Data Assessment Results (cont.)

Time Lack of energy Lack of motivation 0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Barriers Most Often Selected

20132015

2013/2015 Data Assessment Results (cont.)

Inform

ation

Center

Bits an

d Tips

New

slette

r

After-H

ours

Activti

es/Meet

-ups

Maintai

n No G

ain0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%

Initiatives Staff Participated in Most

20132015

Bits & Tips Newsletter• Description• Single-page newsletter that consists of health news or statistics

and wellness tips. • Purpose• Inform, educate, and empower staff about health issues.

• Effectiveness• Staff survey demonstrates this resource is one of the initiatives

most commonly used by staff.

Bits & Tips Newsletter (cont.)

Fit Minute• Description• This program involves staff to perform one 60-second exercise at

least three times per day. • Purpose• To decrease long periods of sitting

• Effectiveness• Staff do it and love it!!• Collateral consequences

• Brief socialization• Improved morale• Improved attitude and focus• Changes the culture around physical activity

Fit Minute Program (cont.)• All staff meeting in Fredericksburg, Texas on February 12th, 2016.

Wellness Resource Library/Room• A place for staff to engage in physical activity • A collection of exercise equipment and wellness resources for

check-out • DVD’s, yoga kits, ballistic balls, and resistance bands• Books and magazines

• Activ8! Binder—a tool to track current staff use and keep required forms (waivers and physical activity readiness questionnaires--PARQs), paper catalog, and check-out form

Wellness Resource Library/Room (cont.)• Catalog

Other Work Place Activities• Wellness committee meetings • Worksite Wellness Coordinator Manual for future interns • Monthly Lunch and Learns.• Flyers, flyers, flyers • Walking group notice, events, and health articles

Lessons Learned• Challenges & Barriers• No budget in the regions for employee wellness• Wellness committee service is an additional duty• Perceived lack of time by staff• No shower facilities

• Benefits• Improved health of staff who participate• Staff enjoy group programs• Convenient

Acknowledgement• Region 8 Office• Dr. Lillian Ringsdorf, MD, MPH, Medical Director• Gale Morrow, Deputy Director• Dr. Katherine Velasquez, PhD, R.N. • Region 8 Wellness Committee

• Central Office• Wendy Andreades, MBA

Questions