News

  • UB Center, Health Promotion Institute Programs Provide Foundation for Outcome-Based Wellness Initiatives

    Wednesday, February 8,2012

    The University at Buffalo TCIE and BWI National Health Promotion Training Institute are partnering to supply companies with tools to implement and sustain efficient workforce wellness initiatives through certificate programs.

    Both organizations strive to lower healthcare and insurance costs through different means. TCIE services bolster process excellence and enhance overall business operations. BWI, based at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, provides comprehensive wellness management and health education training programs for corporations, schools and communities.

    “We believe that our expertise in improving enterprise performance, paired with BWI’s expertise in outcome-based health promotion services, is a natural fit that provides innovative ways for companies and individuals to justify their wellness initiatives,” said Timothy Leyh, TCIE executive director.

    Through cross-promotion, the organizations recommend that those interested in building a healthier workplace or community initially build a foundation of knowledge through BWI’s health education programs.

    The courses, which may be delivered through a web-based learning platform or via onsite education in the traditional classroom setting, include:

    • BWI’s Health Promotion Coordinator Certification: offers education, tools and skills for new employee wellness managers and wellness teams
    • BWI’s Personal Health Certification: an annual program ideal for educating employees in preventative health and well-being through 12 impactful topics
    • BWI’s “Be Fit Kids” Instructor Certification: ideal for training individuals to administer an innovative, interactive youth health and fitness program

    Business improvement courses at UB elevate individuals to “the next level,” said Shawna Dosser, BWI president and CEO. “The programs introduce strategic analysis, so that participants can speak the language of business, which is money. Participants running a wellness program learn how to analyze the dollars that are invested in order to predict cost savings of workforce wellness programs.”

    BWI will promote two TCIE courses:

    • Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt: candidates are immersed in the initial steps of the Six Sigma methodology and are provided the tools to effectively solve problems
    • Certified Lean Sigma Blue Belt: candidates are armed with the tools and methodologies of Lean and process variation reduction to improve customer service; case studies and exercises pertain specifically to healthcare

    TCIE’s courses are also available through online or traditional classroom learning.

    A program of the UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, TCIE is Western New York’s bridge to excellence, providing a dynamic link between UB’s expert resources and the region’s business community. TCIE’s focus on operational excellence drives continuous improvement, and its engineering solutions ignite innovation and technological advancement. For more information on how TCIE can assist Western New York businesses, go to http://www.tcie.buffalo.edu or call 716-645-8800.

    The BWI National Health Promotion Training Institute is a subsidiary of BWI Health Promotions, which provides comprehensive wellness management services and health education training programs for corporations, schools and communities. The BWI National Health Promotion Training Institute was developed to offer web-based certificate programs for individuals and/or professionals looking to enhance their personal knowledge in the field of health promotion. For more information, visit www.bwihp.com or call 716-992-2732.