Through the diabetes wellness program, Excel employees have been attending classes on diabetes and healthy diet as well as participating in risk assessments, foot screenings, and blood work. Yvonne Holcomb-Pellerin, Excel’s Health Services Manager, feels that by working with CCHD, Excel can “broaden the scope of what it can offer to its employees.”

Appelwick says that “working with a corporation has been refreshing because of the availability of resources to promote programs.” Advertisement for the program occurs through employee newsletters and on check stubs. For participating in the program, employees earn a $20.00 gift certificate. In addition, services are being extended to employee family members.

The two organizations have worked on a smaller scale in the past, but “with Jaime’s help we were able to do a lot more,” says Pellerin, “It has been nice to have another person develop materials and teach classes.” Appelwick, a returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Paraguay, South America, finds her acquired Spanish language skills helpful.

Appelwick claims that, “working in a rural organization provides for opportunities to be involved in a number of new programs as well as take on additional responsibilities.” Appelwick assisted CCHD form a tax-exempt, not-for-profit foundation to broaden grant funding possibilities and increase charitable giving. Appelwick is also the author of grant proposals to acquire sexuality education materials for local schools and restorative dental care for low income children. Appelwick completes her internship and graduates with a Master of Science in Health Education from the Department of Community Health and Health Services Management in December.