A health coach is a wellness professional who supports individuals in developing positive healthy habits through ongoing one-on-one communication, which may occur face-to-face, over the telephone, or electronically. Typically, communication lasts 20 minutes and occurs monthly. Health coaches can help individuals to hone in on focus areas, provide education, and support individual goals. Examples of health goals are:
- Weight loss
- Improve sleep
- Manage stress
- Lower cholesterol or blood pressure
- Improve blood sugar
- Change eating habits
- Change exercise habits
Duke employees (0.2 FTE or greater) have free access to our health coaching programs. Read below to determine the best program for you and to enroll.
Telephone Based Health Coaching
If you work remotely or far away from Duke's main campus, our telephonic coaching program is a good fit for you. Because of the web-based focus for this coaching program, it is best for those who regularly access the internet during their workday.
Coaches will work with you remotely over the phone and through messaging in the MyHealth wellness portal. Employees who choose this option don't need to have specific risk factors to enroll- a desire to maintain or improve your health is all that is required! The length of the program depends on the month of your enrollment, where your enrollment will need be renewed as desired each year in the month of March.
Face-to-Face Health Coaching
If you work on campus at one of Duke's medical centers, or within 10 miles of these locations. Our health coaches can either meet with you at your workplace or at our office located in the Duke South Clinic.. Employees who choose this option typically have at least one health risk factor, such as the need to lose weight or lower cholesterol. Our face-to-face health coaches are qualified with higher degrees in nutrition or nursing and are prepared to provide more robust education in the areas of your risk factors. The length of the program is 12 months, and renewal in the program is available for those making progress toward their goals.
To Enroll
Detailed enrollment instructions are available here.
- Complete a health assessment at the MyHealth Wellness Portal.
- Provide recent health measures by attending a health screening, or by providing documents from a recent doctor's visit.
- Complete the online enrollment form.
Pathways to Change (Pre-Bariatric Procedure Health Coaching)
If you are a benefits eligible employee or dependent with a Duke insurance plan, you may choose to enroll in Pathways to Change, our pre-bariatric procedure health coaching program. We will work with you for at least 3 months prior to your procedure and will continue to support you with lifestyle changes throughout the following year. Program start is typically initiated after your first visit to the Duke Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery but is available for enrollment at any time. The program requirements must be completed no more than 6 months prior to the date of surgery. For enrollment instructions, please contact Sally Neve, RD, at 681-0525. Other requirements apply. Please see Bariatric Surgery Benefits for further information.
Tobacco Quit Coaching
Are you, or someone you love, ready to use less tobacco or quit using tobacco? Components if this program include:
- Copay-free visits with our PA for consideration of prescribed medication therapies.
- Low-cost nicotine replacement therapies such as gums, lozenges, or patches.
- Quarterly follow up visits with a tobacco quit coach (in person or telephonic sessions are available).
To enroll in this program, please fill out a registration form or call (919) 684-3136 option 1.