Currently I am working on two different practicum experiences.  The first being in Washington, DC at The Mary Frances Picciano Dietary Supplement Research Practicum presented by the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institute of Health.  This was a four day educational opportunity to provide knowledge on supplements.  A wealth of information was dispensed to me in these four days.  Topics that I have been introduced have included:

• Supplement use in the U.S. and reasons why individuals use them
• Knowledge about government regulatory agencies and the framework surrounding supplements
• Supplement quality differences (in which I have found there are many)
• Assessing the health effects of food and supplements
• Clinical trials, types and how they are done
• Global perspectives and supplements
• Case studies involving certain supplements like Iodine, Omega-3, Garlic, and Vitamin D
• The importance of good research and how you conduct good research on supplementation
• The controversy surrounding supplementation (good and bad)

This practicum experience has provided me with an amazing amount of additional knowledge about the world of supplementation.  I will be reporting more about what I learned and took away from the experience when I present my practicum presentation.

My second practicum experience has been secured and started with Live Well Longmont, a community which is part of Live Well Colorado.  Live Well Colorado is a nonprofit organization committed to reducing obesity in Colorado by promoting healthy eating and active living.  Live Well Colorado focuses on policy, environmental and lifestyle changes that remove barriers and increase access to healthy behaviors.  Live Well Longmont has made it their vision to make Longmont, Colorado the healthiest community in the healthiest state.  I have the opportunity to work with the worksite wellness coordinator Leslie Feuerborn as my practicum supervisor.    Currently LWL is working its worksite wellness collaboration with three of the larger employers of Longmont.  The collaboration includes Longmont United Hospital, St. Vrain Valley School District, and the City of Longmont.  Through these partners and the current project to develop comprehensive wellness plans.  LWL hopes to market the wellness plan to other employers in the community to help establish a community wide culture of healthy eating and active living in Longmont through various methods and programs.

Currently my role has been working exclusively with Leslie reviewing the latest literature to support her grant writing requests.  I assisted on research of the literature and finished the final letter to submit for the Millennium Trust grant for LWL.  This was an interesting letter to write since the trust specifically wanted to know how LWL worksite wellness program could help the people of Boulder County enjoy the beautiful nature of our surroundings.  I will also be helping with 2 other grant writing projects.  These grants would fund specific programs through LWL; targeting worksite wellness in different worksites.

LWL is looking to secure grants to fund worksite wellness programs in non-profit organizations that lack the funds to start or implement worksite wellness programs.  I will be assisting Leslie with the grant writing and literature review to support this new program.

I also have attended collaboration meetings to learn how these 3 large organizations are working with LWL to foster the growth and advertise the importance of worksite wellness programs.  Participating in these collaboration meetings has educated me on how a non-profits can work with different agencies to help develop new programs and policies collaboratively.  An upcoming project that I will assist on is LWL role in promoting worksite wellness at the Roger River 5 K run at Rhythm on the River (which is a very well attended event in Longmont that kicks off the summer events).   There are many projects that are in the works this summer so I look forward to updating my progress as we move through the summer.