The following interview is part of a new series to highlight the remarkable work efforts of our credential-holders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Name: Dolores McGrath, BA, CHES®
Job Title: Health Promotion Technician
Years’ Experience: 5+
Career Sector: Government/Department of Defense | Healthcare
When someone asks me, "What do you do?" I always respond, "Whatever it takes." I have a personal passion that comes from real life experience that I have used as my foundation for my formal education, my professional certification, and my career goals.
~Dolores McGrath
|
NCHEC: What is your current job title and where do you work?
Dolores: My job title is Health Promotion Technician, and I work for the Army Wellness Center, Fort Brag, through a contract provided by SST Solutions and Training, LLC. My normal scope of work includes tasks such as:
- Presenting briefs on the services offered at the Army Wellness Center (AWC).
- Planning and managing large-scale events and installations.
- Teaching nutrition education classes.
- Health Coaching, including body composition and resting metabolic rate tests.
- Developing and composing scripts for Public Service Announcements and all AWC social media content.
- Liaison between the AWC and the Womack Army Medical Center weekly publication.
- Submitting purchase requests for medical equipment.
- Calibrating and troubleshooting medical equipment.
NCHEC: How has your role changed as a result of COVID-19?
Dolores: The pandemic created a higher emphasis on output and development of social media content and PSAs. As the Health Promotion Technician, I was now in charge of researching and rewriting the disinfection SOPs and educating the staff on new procedures.
NCHEC: Can you give an example of how your organization is providing health education & support to your community members?
Dolores: Metabolic health can play a large part in aiding individuals from contracting COVID-19 and/or the severity in which the individual may suffer. We offer holistic health education, coaching, and test tracking (including RMR, VO2, and body fat percentage testing, nutrition education, stress management, and sleep hygiene education) in order to maintain and improve the overall health and wellbeing of our population.
NCHEC: Have you seen positive change in public and community health over the past year?
Dolores: I have seen local hospitals offer scheduled FaceTime between patients in ICU and loved ones since visitation has been limited, and I hope that is something they will maintain moving forward. I have also seen the Fort Bragg AWC evolve and show innovation in order to service our clients.