Executive Summary/Abstract

My field studies internship was in Pasadena with Health Net of California, Inc. from June 2009 to September 2009. I had the pleasure of working with Hoa Su, my preceptor and manager of the Health Education department. I also worked with many project leads; Kristin Dufelmeier, Dennis Carrillo and Martha Geraty from the Health Education department, as well as Gloria Yacosa and Diana Carr from the Cultural and Linguistics department, and Diane Baxter from the Community Solutions department. Within the Health Education department, my internship focused mainly on a Member Engagement Initiative for state health programs (SHP) members which integrated a Plain Language Initiative, and a work site wellness program for Health Net’s network providers and staff.

The Member Engagement Initiative included compiling and organizing current communications, projects and services offered by all Health Net departments for both SHP and commercial members. I also identified gaps and inefficiencies through an extensive evaluation of services offered for members. I then outlined key recommendations for resources and services for each department based on a literature review, current research findings pertaining to member engagement and feedback from a focus group that we conducted in August. The Member Engagement Initiative was designed to increase the health plan’s efficiency and improve SHP member health outcomes. It also incorporated the importance of company wide plain language guidelines and standards to enable SHP members to be active consumers of their health care, increase their knowledge about navigation of the health plan, as well as improve their self confidence and skills.

I also had the opportunity to work on a worksite wellness program designed for providers to implement for their staff. With the collaboration of the Health Education and Community Solutions department, I created a Fitness and Healthy Eating Tip sheet and all other pertinent documents relating to the Hopping the Health and Fitness program that will be launched in late September.

When I joined the Health Education team, I had the opportunity to work on the Member Engagement Initiative from its beginning stages and gain the interdepartmental participation and collaboration needed to successfully deliver key recommendations and strategies for improvements, which will be implemented beginning in October of 2009.

I had a great experience with Health Net as I was provided with the opportunity to strengthen my professional and capacity building skills and take on a leadership role. I was able to first handedly experience public health in a real world, professional setting. My internship with Health Net has further equipped me with the tools necessary to for future public health endeavors.

Jessica Garcia Cuevas, MS

Advisor: Hoa Su, MPH

June-September 2009