Members of the Southcoast Worksite Health & Wellness Collaborative were offered three presentations at the September 11, 2014 meeting held at the Sylvia Insurance Company headquarters on Faunce Corner Road in North Dartmouth. Kicking off the meeting was Saul Lookner of Home Benefit IQ who described a free on-site employee education program that employers can use to assist employees with a number of financial problems. He was followed by Lillian Nieves, Pharm. D., Diabetes Educator for Novo Nordisk, Inc. who described her availability to talk with employees about management of diabetes. The final presentation was given by Lu Brito of the Southcoast YMCA who described a Diabetes Prevention Program that is available to employers in the South Coast Area. Chairperson Angela Bras suggested that Collaborative members take advantage of these local resources to help employees address problems that can affect worksite "presenteeism." The Collaborative holds regular monthly meetings at a variety of locations, usually on Thursday mornings starting at 8:30 a.m. and are open to any business or organizational representative from the South Coast area. Each session begins with a presentation on a particular topic. Past meetings have focused on healthy eating in the workplace, ergonomics,  CPR, and on substance abuse. Click here for an 11-minute video of Ms. Nieves' presentation and click here for a nine-minute video of Mr. Brito's presentation. Anyone planning to attend is asked to RSVP Chairperson Angela Bras at 774-400-4466.

(Top row) Millie Scott of High Point Treatment Center talks with Nicky D'Ambrosco of the Southcoast YMCA before Collaborative Chairperson Angela Bras introduces Saul of Home Benefit IQ who presents and hands out materials. (Middle row) Lillian Nieves, Pharm. D., Diabetes Educator for Novo Nordisk, Inc., talks about the education services she can provide to employers as Jennifer Espinola of Saint Anne's Hospital and Angie Bras listen. (Bottom row, left) Lu Brito of the Southcoast YMCA passes out information on their Diabetes Prevention Program following his presentation. (Bottom row, center and right) Amy Ruggiero and Millie Scott of High Point Treatment talk with Nicky D'Ambrosco and PT Health and Safety Solutions President Josh Colberg  talks with Elaine Couto of Joseph Abboud at the end of the meeting.