Marco Tapia

Responsibilities

• Developed a network with Oncologists, Radiologists, and Cardiac Rehab Specialists. • Promoted health coaching services within the departments. • Produced a logic model for a visual of how the program could benefit the McFarland Clinic. • Prepared a process and structure for future health coaches. • Created a webpage dedicated for Clinical Health Coaching that offered an instant scheduling process and provided information of the service. • Made personalized brochures and flyers for advertisement and to be handed out. • Built a clientele list by getting references from physicians. • Managed the health coach scheduling system to stay organized. • Maintained client confidential information within a database. • Updated client information on their progress towards reaching a personal goal. • Initiated in leading health coaching sessions with participants. • Developed a relationship with clients and helped motivate them towards maintaining or progressing past a behavioral goal. • Helped guide clients to understand their bad habits in hopes to replace them with good ones • Created a synergy between Community Health Partners and Iowa State University on developing a Walk with Ease program that used motivational interviewing for people who had symptoms of arthritis. • Communicated with another intern and supervisor on progress towards developing the Walk with Ease program for future health coaches. • Scheduled weekly meetings for clients and the health coaching research team. • Sent out multiple motivational quotes and helpful links specific to the client’s goals. • Presented at symposiums on motivational interviewing data and talked about the benefits of the program.

Accomplishments

I was able to see how people progressed from week one to week eight in their goals that they set themselves. I held them accountable by weekly meeting sessions and sent out motivational quotes and pictures to help them along the way. I was happy to see people make behavior changes in their lives.

What advice would you give?

Be someone who is interested in the client's goals. Appreciate the positive things and do not talk one down from the negatives. Be there as a form of support for the people you are working with and keep in consistent communication to let them know that you are there when you aren't physically.