Winona State University students in the Department of Health, Exercise and Rehabilitative Services help two local businesses achieve a statewide award.
TRW Automotive and Home and Community Options, both of Winona, received the BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota Champions of Health Award. Champions of Health is a program that recognizes people who make a healthy difference in their workplaces or communities.
In January of 2004, WSU faculty member Peter Sternberg, along with students from his program planning course, partnered with TRW's Wellness Committee to identify the activities that would start to address the health needs of TRW's employees.
As a part of Sternberg's class, WSU students work with local businesses, such as TRW, to design and develop health programs based on the individual company's needs. The students do a needs assessment of a company's employees by designing the survey needed to gather the necessary research information.
The students then do the research, discuss the results of the research with the company, advise the company on what programs their employees could benefit from, and develop the programs. Sternberg said his students have been doing this type of work in the community for about a year and a half.
"My students are going out to promote health and that's going to be their profession," said Sternberg. "Doing that isn't an easy task. We can talk about it in the classroom, but going out into the community helps students deal with real issues in the field."
The WSU students developed a 20 question confidential health survey for TRW which was completed by 70% of the employees in the plant. Based on the results of the survey, the Wellness Committee decided to initially implement two activities: a health fair and an exercise program. The effort has resulted in a 60% participation rate for the health fair and 50% of employees took part in the first walking program. Peter Bagshaw, TRW's human resources manager, said these programs have been well received by employees.
"It has been a great opportunity for TRW Automotive to work with WSU on activities that benefit our employees and the local community," said Bagshaw. "We have already scheduled further activities with Assistant Professor Sternberg and his students for 2005 and hope to continue with this partnership into the future."
The same techniques were used by WSU students to assist Home and Community Options develop their wellness programs. Denny Theede, executive director of Home and Community Options, said they have appreciated the support of Sternberg and his students. Through the partnership, Home and Community Options was able to expand on three initiatives they were working on.
"The partnership is essential in training a new generation of professionals," said Theede, "and it's tremendously helpful to us as a non-profit organization. It gives students a look at the real world and it allows our community to grow stronger."
These companies will be honored for their efforts by BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota during a statewide dinner on March 5, 2005, in Minneapolis, Minn.
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