
What is a Health Risk Assessment (HRA)?
By Mindi Matthews, MBA, CHWC Most wellness programs usually ask participants to complete a brief questionnaire that summarizes key health information. This questionnaire—often referred to as a health risk assessment or HRA—then generates a statistical estimate of that person’s overall health risk status. HRAs help identify health issues and should provide a feedback mechanism or […]

Wellness Resources
By Kristin Lamb, CHWC, wellness coordinator and coach Looking for additional support to take your employee wellness program to the next level? Consider using some of the following local, state and national resources (all content via the organizations’ respective websites): The Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) is one of the nation’s most respected resources for […]

What to Expect When You’re Recovering from Joint Replacement Surgery
By Norman Mindrebo, MD Orthopedic Surgeon at New Hope Orthopedics & Sports Medicine If you struggle with joint pain that affects your everyday activities—from exercise to housework to simply getting out of bed—and pain relievers or injections no longer work, you could benefit from a joint replacement. As with any major surgery, it’s important to […]
4 Things Women Should Know About Ovarian Cancer
By Cameual Wright, MD Riverview Health Physician OB/GYN The term “cancer” is typically one that people avoid. But rather than ignoring it, becoming educated about it can be our greatest weapon against it. This is especially the case for women when it comes to ovarian cancer as it can fly under the radar. With that […]

Setting Your Child Up for a Healthy Heart
By Emily Ruden, MD Cardiologist at Riverview Health There’s no doubt that getting your kids to eat healthy can be a challenge. But setting a good example from a young age can not only shape their eating habits for later in life, but it can set them up for excellent heart health as an adult. […]

When Caring for Others, Don’t Forget About Yourself
By Brittany Nelson, MS, RD, CHWC Caring for those we love can be a full-time job. And like any full-time job, it’s important to stay healthy so you’re doing the most efficient work you’re capable of. With that said, when you care for a loved one, you may often put his or her feelings, illnesses […]

Put Your Phone Down—It’s Time for Dinner
By Katie Boscia, MS, RD, IBCLC, CDE Eating dinner together as a family can have several benefits for children as well as adults. In today’s busy world where everyone has different schedules, planning a dinner together will give you a reason to stop and connect. Sit down without distractions such as phones, mobile devices, television […]

5 Easy Tips to Help Your Kids Get the Exercise They Need
By Ryan Lawson, exercise specialist According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the past 30 years, childhood obesity has more than doubled, and obesity in adolescents has quadrupled. Young adults who are overweight tend to have higher occurrences of heart disease and other serious health conditions at an earlier age compared to those […]

4 Tips to Get Back into Your Exercise Routine
By Ryan Lawson, Exercise Specialist The start of the school year means new beginnings for your kids, but it’s also a great time to self-reflect by taking a look at your life and fitness routine and planning ways to stay active during the upcoming fall and winter months. Here are a few tips to help you successfully […]

Reserving Time on Your Calendar for Family Time
By Brittany Wonnell, RD, CHWC Life gets busy, work becomes hectic, our kids have homework and our parents have appointments. How are we able to care for ourselves while caring for so many others at the same time? Throughout the years, these hectic, stressful schedules have made us forget about the importance of genuine family […]