HEALTH Plus, HEALTH AND WELLNESS at Vanderbilt University

Meet HEALTH Plus

	*Marilyn C. Holmes, HEALTH Plus* Manager**--Marilyn has over 30 years experience in population health management. She earned her BS degree from Middle Tennessee State University, completed a dietetic internship at the University of Arkansas Medical Center/Veterans Administration Hospital in Little Rock, and earned her MS degree at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Her diverse professional background includes experience in hospitals, nursing homes, public health at the local, regional and state levels, and an educational institution. In 1997 Mrs. Holmes assumed the role of Manager for the faculty and staff wellness and fitness program. She is the author/coauthor of publications on lead poisoning in young children and AIDS. She has received numerous honors and awards at national, state and regional levels, including the most recent: Excellence in Practice Award for Wellness from the American Dietetic Association’s Practice Group, Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutritionists (SCAN). marilyn.c.holmes@vanderbilt.edu
	Brad Awalt, MS, Assistant Manager--As the Assistant Manager, Brad oversees the daily operations of HEALTH Plus facility as well as supervises the HEALTH Plus fitness staff. Brad is responsible for the design and implementation of exercise options for Vanderbilt faculty & staff, such as fitness prescriptions, fitness evaluations and the New Beginnings program. Brad also serve as technology manager for HEALTH Plusem> and is responsible for the Wellness Actions Log as part of Go for the Gold Health Incentives Program that rewards faculty and staff for healthy behaviors. Brad received his undergraduate and Masters Degree in Exercise Science from Belmont University and Middle Tennessee State University respectively. Brad is also an American College of Sports Medicine Certified Health/Fitness Instructor. brad.awalt@Vanderbilt.Edu
	Mary Yarbrough, MD, MPH--Dr. Yarbrough is the Director of Health and Wellness at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. She has responsibility for faculty and staff services in both the University and Medical Center at Vanderbilt. These services include the Occupational Health Clinic; HEALTH Plus, Vanderbilt's health promotion program; Work/Life Connections-EAP, including Faculty, Physician and Nurse Wellness Programs; and the Child and Family Center. Prior to coming to Vanderbilt, Dr. Yarbrough served as the Director of Environmental Epidemiology for the State of Tennessee. She received her B.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering and her MD from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Yarbrough completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Vanderbilt and in Preventive Medicine at Johns Hopkins University. She is an Assistant Professor of both Medicine and Preventive Medicine at Vanderbilt, is boarded by the American Board of Preventive Medicine in both Occupational Medicine and Public Health and General Preventive Medicine, is boarded by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a former Luce Scholar. Dr. Yarbrough has served as President of the Tennessee College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and is currently the Tennessee Delegate to the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM). Dr. Yarbrough also serves on ACOEM's Board of Directors. mary.yarbrough@Vanderbilt.Edu
	Stacey Kendrick, MS, Coordinator of Health Promotion--Stacey’s role is to oversee the marketing and communication at HEALTH Plus as well as coordinate programs and events for the Vanderbilt faculty and staff that promote health awareness, motivation to participate in healthy lifestyle practices and a culture of wellness. Stacey also is the editor of the HEALTH Plus Connection newsletter, delivers the Making a Difference and Partnering for Health presentations at New Staff Orientation and oversees the Dietetic Internship Program at HEALTH Plus. Prior to working at HEALTH Plus she worked at Vanderbilt’s Kim Dayani Center as a consultant and the YMCA of the Carolinas as a Health Educator. Stacey received her undergraduate business degree from The Rochester Institute of Technology in New York State and her Masters Degree in Health Promotion from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Stacey is a certified personal trainer with the American Council on Exercise and a certified Intrinsic Coach. . stacey.k.kendrick@vanderbilt.edu
	Kimberly Tromatore, MPH, Health Educator-- Kimberly previously worked at the Vanderbilt Dayani Center as a Corporate Health Educator before coming to HEALTH Plus. She received her Masters of Public Health degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Her primary responsibilities include health education programming. Examples include designing health education materials, implementing health promotion events such as Know Your Numbers, Summer Programming, and the Life Phase series, delivering presentations on various health topics, and implementing campus wide help sessions for the Go for the Gold program. She also assists with marketing for HEALTH Plus.
	Lisa Connor, RN, BSN -- Lisa has worked as a nurse for over 25 years. She graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a BS in nursing. Her professional background includes experience in critical care, home health, and diabetes education. Lisa has received Intrinsic Coach training. As the HEALTH Plus nurse since 1999, Lisa coordinates the Healthy Steps program, a risk reduction intervention supporting faculty and staff in setting and working toward individual wellness goals. She assists Vanderbilt faculty and staff in completing and understanding their annual Health Risk Assessment. Lisa is the coordinator for the Babies & You program, which promotes prenatal health for faculty and staff, spouses, and dependents. She works with the HEALTH Plus staff in Go for the Gold, Vanderbilt’s health incentive program. Lisa encourages taking personal responsibility for your health now so you may live a healthy and active life. lisa.connor@Vanderbilt.Edu
	Madeline Garr, MA, Health Educator– Madeline’s background is in education, having taught international students for more than 25 years. Her main role at HEALTH Plus is working with individuals who are interested in setting wellness goals in the Healthy Steps risk reduction program. She provides information to interested persons on all topics of health and wellness. She also coordinates the Pressure Relief Network, informative classes about controlling high blood pressure, as well as working with the HEALTH Plus team in encouraging a culture of wellness at Vanderbilt. Madeline has also been trained as an intrinsic coach. She can be reached at 383-8777 or madeline.b.garr@Vanderbilt.Edu.
	Lori Cowan, Group Fitness Coordinator -- Lori has over 15 years experience in the fitness industry. Before coming to HEALTH Plus, she managed the employee fitness center at Aerostructures Corporation. Lori's primary responsibility is the group fitness program. She hires the instructors and plans the group fitness schedule. She also designs exercise programs for members and coordinates incentive programs to encourage members to continue workout routines and cross train. lori.l.cowan@vanderbilt.edu
	Todd Cunningham, Fitness Associate--Todd has been working at HEALTH Plus for 5 years. He designs exercise programs for members and coordinates several incentive programs to encourage members to continue workout routines. Todd received his undergraduate degree in Exercise Science and his Masters Degree in Education from Lipscomb University. He is a certified Personal Trainer through Aerobics and Fitness Association of America(AFAA) and American Fitness Professionals and Associates(AFPA). Todd is also a certified Strength Trainer and Lifeguard. todd.a.cunningham@Vanderbilt.Edu
	Cassandra McClain-Evans, Administrative Assistant--Cassandra has over twenty-seven years of administrative and clerical expertise. She began working at HEALTH Plus in 1997 as the Receptionist/Secretary. cassandra.e.mcclain-evans@Vanderbilt.Edu
	Keith Franklin, Office Assistant--Keith brings to HEALTH Plus over ten years of various arenas of customer service. He is an extremely compassionate, friendly, happy, easy to talk to, trivia & movie buff. He stays well informed on the latest news & current events. Keith eagerly awaits your arrival at HEALTH Plus with a friendly greeting. keith.franklin@Vanderbilt.Edu
	J. Shelby Merchant, Marketing Assistant –Shelby offers 5 years of Advertising/Marketing experience concentrated in events promotion and management. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Advertising from Appalachian State University, located in Boone, NC. Shelby’s role at HEALTH Plus includes assisting in the daily marketing activities needed to promote a culture of wellness to Vanderbilt’s faculty and staff.

Created by Vanderbilt University Health & Wellness.
Copyright 2004. Updated 12/20/07 . For additional information or help using this Web site please contact HEALTH Plus.