Health Coaching
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Did You Participate in NKU’s Health Risk Assessment and Health Screening in February ‘09? We Can Help! FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL | |
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Meet NKU’s Health Coach, Linda Hoffsis, MA, RD, LD |
Available Monday and Thursday 8 a.m. – 4:00 p.m in The Well Living Center, UC 250 (the old All Card office).
Frequently Asked Questions about Health Coaching
1. What is health coaching?
Health coaching is a program that provides individuals with personalized and collaborative support to improve their overall health and well being. This is accomplished through working with a health coach, a health care professional who has specific expertise in helping others to achieve both their short and long term health goals. Health coaching involves a whole person approach, one that builds on an individual’s strengths, to accomplish what they want for themselves.
2. What is a health coach?
A health coach is a caring and knowledgeable health professional who focuses on helping you identify and reach achievable health goals. In addition to providing information and resources, a health coach supports, encourages, challenges and motivates you to improve your well-being.
3. Why would I want to see a health coach if I have a doctor?
A health coach does not replace a physician. They can help you engage in more meaningful discussions with your doctor by helping you to better understand your health issues as well as learning how to navigate with confidence though the health care system.
4. Who can participate in NKU’s health coaching program?
This program is being offered free of charge to any benefit eligible employee who participates in the yearly campus health screening initiative. You will be able to interact face to face with an experienced health coach in a completely private location, the Well Living Center, in the main lobby of the University Center. If you did not participate in the February 2009 health screening, you will not be eligible at this time. You will however, have the opportunity to visit with the health coach in 2010 by participating in the February 2010 health screenings on campus.
5. How is the health coaching program being offered at NKU?
Those employees who qualify to participate (see above) will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a health coach in the Well Living Center. The program is available 2 days/week, on Monday and Thursday, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You are entitled to one comprehensive 50 minute initial appointment, and 2 follow up visits of 30 minutes or less per calendar year. These services are being offered free of charge.
6. Who are the coaches?
The Wellness Center has externally contracted the services of one highly skilled and experienced health professional to deliver this support on campus. Her name is Linda Hoffsis, a registered dietitian and exercise physiologist. She obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Purdue University, her Master of Arts in Exercise Physiology from Ohio State University, and her course requirements to become a Registered Dietitian at the University of Cincinnati. With over 20 years experience in cardiac rehab and wellness programs, along with special training in diabetes education and management, Linda’s expertise has recently been sought in our community for the services of health and wellness coaching. She has been successfully functioning in this capacity in workplace settings for over two and one half years, and we are fortunate to have her join NKU’s employee wellness initiative.
7. How do I know whether I would be a good candidate to have a health coach?
You should consider this service if you can identify with any of the following:
• You have an area of your lifestyle or a health condition that you want to change or improve upon: lose weight, get in shape, control your blood pressure, lower your cholesterol, prevent or control diabetes, sleep better, reduce your stress, become a non-tobacco user,
learn how to prepare healthy snacks and meals, fit healthy habits into a busy lifestyle, etc.
• You need help improving your health and lifestyle in a way that fits conveniently and easily into your busy schedule without having to leave your work environment
• You would like access to a vast array of health information and support tools to help improve your knowledge on a particular topic
• You need help setting and achieving realistic health and well-being goals
• You respond well to someone who motivates, encourages, inspires and motivates you to achieve your goals
• You are personally committed to making changes in your lifestyle to achieve your goals – these sessions are not meant for individuals who have no intentions of making changes
8. How confidential is the personal information that I share with my health coach?
Completely: Only your health coach will have access to your health information. Any completed assessments are stored in a locked cabinet in the Well Living Center that only your health coach has access to. Your private health information is never shared with your employer or your health care insurer or members of the Wellness team. Your session with the health coach is held in a completely private location, The Well Living Center, in the main lobby of the University Center.
9. How do I schedule an appointment with the health coach?
In order to see the health coach, you must schedule an appointment through the Wellness Center, by calling x 7780. The health coach is available each week on Monday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The initial meeting with the health coach is scheduled for a 50 minutes, to allow ample opportunity to understand your needs and set realist goals. Follow up sessions are scheduled in 30 minutes blocks of time. Appointments are booked on a first come first served basis. You are encouraged to speak with your department manager if your appointment time falls outside of your regular lunch/break period in order to ensure coverage and/or to explore flexible working arrangements.
You will be provided a reminder of your appointment within 48 hours of your scheduled appointment. Should you need to reschedule an appointment, you must do so within 48 hours of your scheduled appointment in order to allow your slot to be filled by another individual. Failure to show up for a scheduled appointment may result in you losing access to the health coaching service for the remainder of the year.
10. What do I need to bring to a health coaching appointment?
It is strongly recommended that you bring the results from your campus health risk appraisal and health screening to your initial meeting with your health coach. You may also bring other information, such as more recent bloodwork results, obtained through your primary care provider. You may also be asked to complete a 3 day food diary when booking your appointment depending on whether this would be relevant to your visit. This would be provided to you electronically at the time of scheduling your appointment. If you do not have any of the above mentioned materials or you forget to bring them with you on the day of your appointment, that is OK. Please keep your regularly scheduled appointment.
