1. Work Place Wellness
Karlos E. Garza
Texas Department of State Health Services
Region 8
Blue Ribbon Internship Program
Spring 2016

2. 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

3. 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.

4. DSHS Region 8
• 28 counties throughout South Central Texas
• 14 field offices
• ~ 156 staff members located throughout the Region 8 area

5. Counties
Atascosa Karnes
Bandera Kendall
Bexar Kerr
Calhoun Kinney
Comal La Salle
DeWitt Lavaca
Dimmit Maverick
Edwards Medina
Frio Real
Gillespie Uvalde
Goliad Val Verde
Gonzales Victoria
Guadalupe Wilson
Jackson Zavala
Region 8

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 2013/2015 Data Assessment Results
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Overweight or
Obese
No or insufficient
exercise
No HRA or Annual
Physical
Assessment Questions Addressed
2013
2015

11. 2013/2015DataAssessmentResults (cont.)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
2013 2015
Health Goal(s) Most Selected
Lose weight Get in shape Healthier eating habits Become more active

12. 2013/2015DataAssessmentResults (cont.)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Time Lack of energy Lack of motivation
Barriers Most Often Selected
2013
2015

13. 2013/2015DataAssessmentResults (cont.)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Information Center Bits and Tips
Newsletter
After-Hours
Activties/Meet-ups
Maintain No Gain
Initiatives Staff Participated in Most
2013
2015

14. 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.

15. Bits & Tips Newsletter (cont.)

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. Wellness Resource Library/Room(cont.)
• Catalog

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. Questions