FRANKFORT, Ky. (November 3, 2004) Secretary James W. Holsinger Jr., M.D. appointed 22 employees to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Wellness Committee on Wednesday. The group is charged with creating a climate that fosters better wellness for cabinet employees.

“This is part of the global effort undertaken through Governor Fletcher’s Get Healthy Kentucky! initiative to positively impact the health of all Kentuckians and, in this case, cabinet employees,” said Secretary Holsinger. “The focus of this committee demonstrates our commitment to improving health for our entire state. We hope this effort will help stimulate the people in our cabinet to reduce risk factors and make positive lifestyle choices.”

            The Wellness Committee will serve in an advisory role, reporting to Secretary Holsinger on a regular basis. A full-time Wellness Coordinator for the entire cabinet, to be based in the Department for Public Health as part of a federal grant, will be hired soon to assist in implementing Committee recommendations. There will be five major areas of focus to begin with: wellness awareness, physical activity, nutrition, breastfeeding and smoking cessation.

            The program is an expansion of a three-year effort to facilitate employee wellness based in the Department for Public Health. This former group developed a proposal that is serving as the basis for the expanded efforts of the Wellness Committee.

            “Because we have had a program, we can make a concerted push forward now and be a model for the state. Our cabinet is filled with people who know the health care arena with expertise that will benefit our employees and all Kentuckians,” said Secretary Holsinger.

            The five areas of focus were chosen based on research by the initial former Public Health group on worksite wellness practices and a look at health issues in Kentucky. Kentucky currently has the fourth highest rate of obesity in the nation, and the state consistently ranks high on lack of physical activity. Earlier this year, the Department for Public Health partnered with the Get Healthy Kentucky! initiative begun by Governor Fletcher to hold a series of nine forums to discuss obesity around the state; more than 1200 people attended. The Wellness Committee is part of the administration’s multi-faceted effort to improve the health of Kentuckians.

The 22 employees appointed to the Wellness Committee will gather ideas, suggestions and make plans for wellness activities in the cabinet as well as evaluating current practices and implementing new strategies. The membership reflects the diversity of the cabinet, with employees coming from throughout its programs.

The members of the committee are:

Jan Beauchamp, Department for Public Health

Brian Boisseau, Department for Public Health

Sandra Brock, Office of the Secretary

Faith Burns, Office of Legal Services

Jane Corder, Office of the Undersecretary for Health

Becky Derifield, Department of Public Health

Pamela Green, Office of Human Resource Management

Victoria Greenwell, Department for Public Health

Kate Gresham, Department for Public Health

Jennye Grider, Department for Public Health

Firas Hamza, Office of Information Technology

Noel Harilson, Department for Medicaid Services

Joyce Jennings, Division of Women’s Mental and Physical Health

Jean Kendell, Office of Human Resource Management

Janice Lunsford, Department for Mental Health/Mental Retardation Services

Marvin Miller, Department for Public Health

Linda Piker, Department for Public Health

Sara Robeson, Department for Public Health

Curtis Rowe, Department for Public Health

Jan Thornton, Department for Medicaid Services

Colby Wagoner, Department for Public Health

Emma Walters, Department for Public Health

Gayle Yocum, Department for Community-Based Services