When Henry Thai, M.D., an internal medicine doctor at PAMF's Palo Alto Center, first met Bruce Woolpert, CEO of the Graniterock construction supply company in Watsonville, Woolpert was overweight and faced hypertension. However, by working with Dr. Thai and making small tweaks to his diet and lifestyle, Woolpert lost 40 pounds and normalized his blood pressure. Woolpert was so inspired that he decided he wanted all of his team members to have access to the same care Dr. Thai and PAMF gave him.

To replicate Woolpert’s experience, PAMF launched the “(Healthy)^me: Healthy to the Power of Me” employee wellness program. Dr. Thai created an educational booklet for Graniterock that included information about weight management, exercise and a healthy diet. Dr. Thai also recruited doctors from throughout the PAMF network – including Lawrence Chin, M.D.; Allison Helms, D.O.; Mathew Hernandez, M.D.; James Telfer, M.D.; and Veko Vehamaki, D.O. – to provide on-site care at various Graniterock locations in the Bay Area.

Graniterock team members who signed up for the program were screened for health conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. During the first one-on-one visit, the doctors reviewed their screening results and helped them set personal goals that would motivate them, such as fitting into a favorite pair of jeans or playing with their children or grandchildren without being winded. Then, Graniterock team members worked with their PAMF doctors to develop a set of individual lifestyle modifications that would help the employee reach his or her personal goals.

At follow-up visits, team members were assessed and offered additional tips to either continue their progress or get back on track if they were not improving. “This gave them great motivation to stick with lifestyle changes and get extra help if needed,” explains Dr. Thai.

The results speak for themselves. During the six-month program, Graniterock team members lost a total of more than 1,300 pounds, their cholesterol and blood pressure levels improved, and workplace injuries decreased.

They were overwhelmingly pleased with the program. “This program helped me become aware of health issues and understand what I need to do to stay healthy,” says one program participant. “After the last weigh in, I am happy to be 10 pounds lighter. I feel great!”

“The program formulated and implemented by Dr. Thai was just the right blend of well delivered advice and regular physician follow-up that encouraged individual success. Our team members will no doubt benefit from a higher quality of life into their older age,” says Woolpert.

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