Health Empowerment (Weight Management)
A Comprehensive Program Involving
Professionals In Several Healthcare Fields

INTRODUCTION
Many of our patients have asked us for help in developing a healthier lifestyle that would enable them to eat better, lose weight, and improve their mental and physical health. The HEALTH EMPOWERMENT program is designed to achieve these goals through the involvement of professionals in several disciplines. The Medical Group (TMG) has brought together entities that collectively can bring about a change in the life of program participants. We have partnered with Medical Psychology Center, Spectrum Fitness and Orthopedics Plus. Professionals within these entities will work closely together in addressing health objectives for participating individuals.

PROGRAM
The program starts with the TMG primary care provider (physician, NP or PA) of the individual. If the participant has not had a recent physical exam, an appointment will be scheduled, along with essential lab tests to measure blood sugar and blood lipids and cholesterol. TMG will also schedule an exercise stress test if there are any risk factors for cardiac or pulmonary disease.

With the medical information completed, the participant will then meet with a psychologist, a fitness specialist and a nutritionist. All 3 visits take place on the same afternoon. In these sessions individual goals and needs will be assessed.

An assessment by a mental health clinician will evaluate the participants psychological well being and degree to which it is effecting general fitness. Depending on the results, the clinician will create a plan, which will be reinforced in group meetings focused on healthy behavioral management.

The assessment by physical a therapist helps identify any issues related to musculoskeletal condition. Each participant is given an individual exercise routine designed personally for them. If a musculoskeletal problem impacts the participant's ability to exercise, the individual will be referred to Orthopedics Plus for physical therapy, in consultation with the appropriate physician.

Participants begin a 16 week program that consists of a series of hour long group sessions. Sessions at the Medical Group, with our nutritionist and providers will alternate with sessions at Spectrum.

The goal of the program is to get individuals started on the road to a healthier life, which will be a lifelong project. If any special needs are identified along the way appropriate referrals will be made, such as cardiac, endocrine or orthopedic evaluations.

FOLLOW UP
After the completion of the 16 week program, participants will have follow-up visits at 3, 6 and 12 months with a TMG primary care provider to assess results. The assessment will include physical and metabolic parameters as well as a questionnaire to help determine if the program has helped to improve the participant's physical and mental wellbeing.