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State University Strategic Wellness Initiatives

The following are the strategic wellness initiative (SWI) respective of each state university.  Quarterly updates summarizing progress on the SWI are requested by and reported to the University of Louisville. 

KCTCS   Kentucky Community and Technical College System

  • Contact: Charlie Jane Weber, Program Coordinator
  • Strategic Wellness Initiative: To combine with existing wellness coalition with the county or to set one up.   Have been informed there is already an inner agency and it has been suggested to check with the inner agency. If it does not work out, a wellness county/ group will be developed. After it is established, the focus will be to target obesity. 

Kentucky State University   Kentucky State University

  • Contact: Bobbie Power, Lead Benefits Coordinator
  • Strategic Wellness Initiative:  To form a wellness coalition emphasizing a cohesive communication campaign measured by minutes and participation. 
     

Morehead State University Morehead State University

  • Contact: Melinda Melendez, Assistant Director of Wellness
  • Strategic Wellness Initiative: Increasing physical activity through walking programs for all ages and levels. 
  • Quarter One Update:  There was a meeting in October but due to various issues the meeting did not hold.  However, while at the Summit we had all discussed that the particular activity we would like to have is a 5k run/walk event.  There was mention of adopting a similar event to one in Lexington where there is the fastest kid in town race, a 1 mile walk, and the 5k race.  This type of event would fit our strategic initiative because it would be geared to people of all ages and levels.  I plan to schedule another meeting at the beginning of March to get more ideas on the table and start to formulate a plan of implementation.  I am currently coordinating a 5k race for our facility and I plan to use the experience for this initiative.

Murray State University   Murray State University

  • Contact: Amelia Dodd, Wellness Coordinator
  • Strategic Wellness Initiative: To be a community effort to increase physical activity with an emphasis on a competition between industries, schools and community groups through tracking exercise. Murray was encouraged by University of Louisville's Trek The Trail. Whoever has the most miles will be recognized. The overall goal is to increase physical activity and to promote overall health including weight loss.
  • Quarter One Update: 
    • November 2007, presented to the Murray City Council regarding the obesity epidemic and the consequences on the national, state, and community levels.  Also discussed plans for the upcoming community event (April 12th).
    • November 2007: Applied for the "Get Healthy Kentucky Grant Program". No word to date on approval.
    • Organizing a "Fitness Festival" titled "Murray In Motion" for Saturday, April 12th from10:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Regional Special Events Center on the campus of Murray State University.  We are targeting the youth through the elderly as well as local business, schools, and numerous community groups.  A logo has been designed. Events in the planning include:
      • Community health screenings: Total lipid profile, Diabetes, Vision/Glaucoma, Prostate, Osteo Heel scan, blood pressure, etc.
      • Family Fun Run/Walk
      • Informational booths:  On a variety of health topics were available; (free) community resources to encourage physical activity such as park trails, indoor and outdoor walking paths, etc.
      • Variety of fun activities for individuals of all ages
      • A follow up physical activity campaign in which individuals, community groups, businesses will track their activity.

Eastern Kentucky University   Eastern Kentucky University

  • Contact: Adrienne Bauer, Associate Director, Human Resources
  • Strategic Wellness Initiative: Implement the training program “We Can” at MOPS & YMCA in Richmond.
  • Quarter One Update: 
    • Eastern Kentucky University coordinated with the KY We! Can Coordinator to host a train-the-trainer session for the We! Can program on January 18, 2008. 33 individuals (representing nutritionists; school teachers; college professors; physicians; school principals; wellness coordinators; health promotion students) participated in this event and are now ready to provide We! Can programs in their respective programs.
    • Our next step is to determine an implementation plan within our community.

University of Kentucky   University of Kentucky

  • Contact: Jody Ensman, Health & Wellness Director
  • Strategic Wellness Initiative: Through Bluegrass Partnership for a Fit Kentucky we will strengthen the worksite venue.
  • Quarter One Update:
    • Became member of the Partnership for a Fit Kentucky.  Attended Partnership meeting 10/31/08.
    • Preliminary discussions with Janet Tietyen and Theresa Lovely on ideas to strengthen worksite wellness venue.
    • Offer 2 mini-conference/workshops for employers in the Bluegrass region on worksite wellness – April 08’ & August 08’.

Western Kentucky University   Western Kentucky University

  • Contact: Doug Newton, Employee Wellness Manager
  • Strategic Wellness Initiative: Strengthen the Regional Partnership for a Fit Kentucky Coalition.
  • Quarter One Update: 
    • As a result of the Governor’s Get Healthy KY Summit, two new members attended the October 2007 meeting of the SCKGF regional coalition:  Virginia Stokes, Barren River Area Agency on Aging and Doug Newton, WKU Employee Wellness Program.  And all members of the WKU group have been put on the SCKGF listserv so that they can receive notifications of regional meetings and updates of public health information from the Partnership for a Fit Kentucky.
    • Diane Sprowl, SCKGF Regional Coordinator, stated that the increased membership and participation in both the SCKGF regional and program planning meetings have helped its current efforts in its Five-a-Day fruit and vegetable eating program being offered to the public during January 2008.
    • The next SCKGF meeting will take place January 30, 2008 1:30pm to 3:30pm at VanMeter Insurance, 1240 Fairway St., Bowling Green, KY.
    • The next initiative being considered by the SCKGF regional coalition to implement in the community to help prevent obesity is a program to encourage limiting screen time (e.g., television and computer use) and increasing more physically active leisure-time pursuits among people in the community. 
       

Northern Kentucky University   Northern Kentucky University

  • Contact: Karen Campbell, Director of Wellness
  • Strategic Wellness Initiative: Physical Activity promotion that challenges various entities throughout the region to get moving, such as “Leaders on the Move”, “Walk with your school principle day”   (basically fill in the gaps where the regional physical activity coalition are not able to reach.)
  • Update:
    • Nov. ‘07 - Committee members invited to attend Regional Partnership for a Fit Kentucky meetings and to support/enhance physical activity initiatives
      • “Walktober” – a four-week pedometer-based initiative, was presented as a fall physical activity campaign that would be repeated in 2008.  Discussion and support obtained for expanding the promotion to be region-wide in all 11 counties.
      • Biggest Winner and FLAGG campaigns continue to be planned for spring 2008 in Grant County.
      • Rep. Addia Wuchner is beginning discussions in Boone County to pilot a physical activity campaign that would incorporate ‘leaders on the move’ concept
      • Get Healthy Kentucky GOLD applications discussed; members applying, including NKU, for increasing physical activity opportunities
    • Feb. ’08 –spring Partnership Meeting
      • ‘Boone on the Move’ – Around the World with “Fit Boone” campaign established by the Leaders on the Move Planning Members – from April 12 to Oct. 31, residents of Boone County will travel the circumference of the Earth by walking, running and/or biking.  For each mile a resident moves (with a leader, or on their own) the mascot “Fit Boone” will travel the virtual distance.
      • “Walktober” - $1,000 allocated for the purchase of additional pedometers for the inclusion of all county participation.
      • “Don’t Fear Fitness” campaign presented by Covington Partners in Prevention – Web site tips and pictures encouraging incorporating activity into daily living.
      • Biggest Winner campaign set to run on Derby weekend.

 

University of Louisville   University of Louisville

  • Contact: Patricia Benson, Health Management Program Director
  • Strategic Wellness Initiative: Seek and acquire funding to support interdisciplinary efforts (i.e. U of L’s  Signature Partnership, Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Movement) that specifically target improving the health status of residents in the West End of Louisville. 
  • Quarter One Update: 
    • A small interdisciplinary grant writing committee has been established, with the following areas of representation:
      • College of Education and Human Development
      • School of Nursing
      • School of Public Health and Information Sciences
      • Medical School
      • Communications and Marketing
    • Committee has met periodically since summit inception.  Outcomes of the meetings include a project plan and timeline.

 

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Last Updated 2/27/2008
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