Volume 13, Number 7: December 2005
Who Is CHP? People like Condace Cooper.
"I came to work for CHP because I like community nutrition. I saw a great opportunity to work with members not only on management of illness, but also on prevention. I love interacting with people." Those who have met Condace Cooper, a licensed registered dietitian/nutritionist, know she does indeed love being around kids, seniors, and everyone in between. And more and more people are meeting her.
Cooper's duties include consulting one-on-one with members, teaching classes, and working with doctors' offices through the CHP Eye Care Centers. She specializes in diabetic self-management, weight loss, cholesterol control, and nutrition throughout the life cycle. She also specializes in getting out into the community. In 2005 alone she's been a present for:
- The Day of Dance for American Heart Month, held at Florida A&M University, with multiple local and national sponsors.
- Pathways for a Successful Future Career Day at Bond-Wesson Elementary School, sponsored by the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and World Class Schools of Leon County.
- Senior Diabetes Support Group at Smith-Williams Service Center.
- Mayor's Race Relations Summit, with a Healthy Break sponsored by Capital Health Plan.
- Boys and Girls Club Health Fair at Lincoln Neighborhood Center.
HealthLine spoke with Condace Cooper about her career passions and her busy life in fulfilling them.
WHY WORK WITH A HEALTH PLAN?
"I've worked in acute care and liked it. I recognized, though, that once people are out of danger, they have to go home and live their lives. I love the impact of helping people make informed decisions, every day, about diet and nutrition. Besides, being in many settings is an opportunity for me to experience more and learn more."
WHAT DO YOU DO AT COMMUNITY EVENTS?
"It varies. I participate anywhere I'm invited. For the seniors at the Smith-Williams Center, I helped with reading labels, healthy eating tips, advice about sodium. They asked questions too.
"With the children on career day, I talked about what I do-which includes working with parents and kids-and about the importance of being active. I also asked them to share about their families' diets. The kids were quite knowledgeable about food issues. I was very impressed.
"A different kind of activity was being a contributing author for the Senior Center's holiday cookbook."
WHAT DO YOU SEE AS MAJOR NUTRITION ISSUES TODAY?
"For one, people eat more than they need, often huge portions. They're also not exercising enough. Children are much more sedentary than before . . . TV, video games. If we turn around portion size and lack of exercise, we could see a significant difference in health."
HOW IMPORTANT IS OUTREACH?
"At CHP, very important! I was attracted to the CHP focus on health management and prevention. Also, it's great for members to have a health plan that obviously cares, that's visible in the community. Everywhere I go now, I see members or people I've worked with. It's a great feeling and a lot to live up to."
DO YOU HAVE A MESSAGE FOR MEMBERS?
"Realize that you're the most important member of your health team. Participate wherever you can. Speak up. Ask questions. Use the CHPConnect resources. Know that you have a really great CHP team that is glad to help."