Free health and wellness coaching

December 10, 2021 — Human Resources

Health and wellness coaching is a partnership between you and a trained, health and wellness professional to help you be your best and healthiest self.

A health and wellness coach can help you clarify what it is you want to do in order to get, and stay, healthy. The coach will work with you to design an individualized action plan based on your Personal Health Assessment (PHA) and help you create realistic goals by breaking them down into smaller, achievable action steps.

Your coach can also assist in getting you the necessary screenings, biometrics, fitness options, immunizations, resources and follow-up care from your health providers. In addition, your coach will encourage, motivate and support you toward reaching your goals and celebrate your victories with you.

Health coaching specialties include:

• stress management
• weight management
• nutrition education
• smoking cessation
• healthy lifestyle and behavior modification
• disease prevention and management
• heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol
• meal planning

Our coaches are certified by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and ensure that all information remains completely confidential. Coaching sessions are private and no personal health information is shared with Miami-Dade County. Coaching can be done by email or phone.

Health coaches:

• Deborah Fortino, MS, ACSM-CPT, ACE
  Monday, Tuesday and Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
  305-671-7303
  deborah.fortino@avmed.org
• Jalessa McCathen, MPH, HSA, CHES
  Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
  305-671-7350
  jalessa.mccathen@avmed.org
• Lara Benezra, MHE, ACSM
  Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
  305-671-7347
  lara.benezra@avmed.org
• Jacqueline Lopez, RD, LD/N
  Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
  Coaching upon referral
  jacqueline.lopez@avmed.org

To make an appointment, call or email health coaches directly or email wwcoaching@avmed.org.