liveWELL Health Coaches empower employees to make sustainable lifestyle changes that enhance their overall well-being. Through collaboration and support, health coaches guide employees to set goals, use their strengths, discover strategies, and celebrate their progress.
Benefits of Working with a Health Coach
- Get started on your journey
- Build confidence and skills
- Overcome barriers and find solutions
Common focus areas areas include energy, nutrition, exercise, stress management, and nicotine cessation.
Work with a coach to:
- Stay active with a busy schedule
- Build healthy eating habits
- Manage day-to-day stress
- Enhance your sleep routine
- And more
Individual Health Coaching
Meet with a health coach at multiple locations across campus.
- Campus Recreation and Wellness Center (CRWC)
- Employee Health Clinic (1st Floor, Boyd Tower, General Hospital) at UI Health Care Medical Center
- Remote: Zoom, Teams, Skype, phone
Group Health Coaching
Back to the Basics is a group coaching series that empowers University of Iowa employees to focus on four core foundations of well-being:
- Nutrition
- Physical Activity
- Mental Well-Being
- Sleep
Health Coaching Success Stories
Tami Diebel
"You never know what small idea they may have for you that could adjust your behaviors and thoughts enough to kick-start your motivation!”
Laura Mantovani
"A health coach will help you to achieve positive change, help you determine the best way to stay on track with your short- and/or long-term goals/ habits, and offer resources and guidance that help relieve stress and anxiety.”
Jess Bearding-Wheat
"Even if your exercise for the day is taking the stairs instead of the elevator, it's better than nothing," he says. "Keep moving and be proud of yourself."
Brett Cloyd
Brett Cloyd worked with Health Coach Carla Melby over ten years ago. He sat down with us to encourage his fellow UI employees to make use of this beneficial service.
FAQs
What if I am not contacted by liveWELL but I want a health coach?
No problem! You can still work with a health coach as long as you meet eligibility requirements of being a UI faculty or staff in a 50 percent or greater, regular position and have completed your Personal Health Assessment. Simply call 319-353-2973 or email livewell@uiowa.edu to get started.
How will this program interact with my health care provider?
With your consent, the information from the Personal Health Assessment and any referrals to a health coach or other liveWELL programs can be shared directly with your health care provider. These programs are designed to work collaboratively with your health care provider and offer you resources that may be beneficial to your health. However, no communication will occur without your written consent.
Will participation in liveWELL programs affect my health insurance premium?
No. Your participation in health coaching and any other wellness programs is completely voluntary and you will not see any changes to your health insurance premiums.
The university’s health plans are considered self-insured, which means the university is responsible for the costs of the claims incurred. We hope that one benefit of liveWELL programs is a reduction in health care claims from health plan participants, and a measurable savings to the university health plans. Information is not shared with Wellmark. Limited UI Wellness staff will have administrative access to individual and aggregate information.
Can I participate in the Personal Health Assessment and Health Coach Service during work time?
You may complete the Personal Health Assessment during work time if your workload allows. It should take 15-20 minutes to complete.
Meetings with a health coach must be done on non-work time or by receiving permission from your supervisor. The same is true for participation in any subsequent liveWELL programs. If you are unable to participate on work time, you can use vacation time to participate.
Health coaching appointments are available between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. Evening appointments after 5:00 p.m. are available 1-2 days per week from Monday - Thursday.