TEMPLE — A state adult education agency and a major regional healthcare entity are joining forces to help improve the health of residents in the Central Texas area served by the two.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service based in College Station and Scott & White Health Plan based in Temple have forged an agreement that will extend health-related programs to residents in what is believed to be the first such partnership in the nation, according to Dr. Susan Ballabina of College Station, AgriLife Extension associate director for program development.
Long-time family and consumer sciences educator Julie Gardner will assume the newly created health specialist position effective Nov. 1, jointly administered by AgriLife Extension and Scott & White.
“It’s an exciting new model which could be replicated and built upon,” Ballabina said. “Julie will work collaboratively with Scott & White Health Plan administration and AgriLife Extension’s agents in the surrounding counties to provide leadership for the implementation of several existing health-related programs.”
She cited AgriLife Extension’s programs, such as Dinner Tonight!, Step Up and Scale Down, and Walk Across Texas, as examples of efforts that have been established throughout the state to help educate adults on simple, effective, affordable ways to improve health.
“Specifically, these programs will be implemented with the goal of motivating communities to create a culture of wellness and to help individuals adopt healthier lifestyle choices,” Ballabina said.
The leadership of both entities believe the partnership will reinforce their efforts and ability to improve people’s health.
“This partnership model will allow both organizations to build upon each other’s strengths to make a larger collective impact in central Texas,” said Dr. Doug Steele, AgriLife Extension director in College Station.
Scott and White chief operating officer Marinan Williams of Temple agreed.
“We anticipate that new programs will be developed as we work together to identify needs and opportunities to help people live healthier lives,” she said.
Gardner has been AgriLife Extension family and consumer sciences agent in Coryell County since 1999. Previously, she was 4-H and Youth Development agent in Williamson County from 1997-1999 and in Grayson County 1996-1997, and assistant agent for home economics 1994-1995 in Lamar County.
Gardner, who is working on a doctorate in health studies with emphasis in population health at Texas Woman’s University in Denton, earned a master’s in education administration at in 2000 and a bachelor’s in home economics in 1994, both from Tarleton State University in Stephenville.
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