ECC Designated to Teach Health Coach Program

Edgecombe Community College and East Carolina University recently signed a partnership agreement that designates ECC as the higher education institution to offer ECU’s Community Health Coach program. From left, seated are Dr. Deborah Lamm, ECC president, and Dr. Ruth Little, ECU assistant professor of public health. Standing are ECC staff Robin Pigg, dean of health sciences; Laura Clark, coordinator of health occupations; and J. Lynn Cale, associate vice president of instruction.

Local residents are learning how to improve their health, thanks to a joint program between Edgecombe Community College and East Carolina University.

The two institutions recently signed an agreement that designates ECC as the institution of higher education to offer ECU’s Community Health Coach program.

The class has already been taught at ECC this year. Currently, it is the only program of its kind in the state.

Through the Community Health Coach course, the college is teaching students that small changes lead to big results.

“We are watching what we eat, reading food labels, drinking more water, and sharing everything with family and friends,” says Katie Staton, who recently completed the class.

The Community Health Coach curriculum focuses on chronic disease prevention and management, obesity and weight management, and access to care.

Topics include symptoms of chronic diseases, nutrition, exercise, tobacco use, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and physical activity.

Graduates can work in various health care settings under licensed health care professionals as well as in churches and other community organizations.

Two Community Health Coach classes begin Monday, October 3, one on each campus.

The class on the Tarboro campus meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. This class ends December 6.

The class on the Rocky Mount campus begins October 3 and ends November 30. It meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

All residents who are interested in improving their health and the health of their communities are encouraged to enroll. Tuition is $180 and the book costs $130, but ECC currently provides scholarships to each student in the program.

To learn more, please contact Jennifer Norville at 823-5166, ext. 202, or norvillej@edgecombe.edu.