Get to know Heather Weaver, NDTR (Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered) and read through our recent Q/A where she shares about her role at Table Health and some areas of her personal and professional life.
Q. What is your area of expertise?
A. Building long term healthy habits.
Q. What is your role at Table Health?
A. I work with members to help them engage with their physicians and follow through on their health plan; and I help deliver education and support to Table Health’s members, employer groups, and the community.
Q. What do you find most rewarding about working with patients/clients?
A. I enjoy meeting clients/patients where they are and building trust and rapport, so that together, we can identify what they need to be their best selves.
Q. How do you see the role of an engagement specialist evolving in the future of healthcare?
A. The engagement specialist plays a vital role in checking in with clients or patients who, amid their busy lives, may forget to follow up with their doctor. We all rely on reminders for various tasks, and sometimes our health gets deprioritized as we focus on staying on top of other responsibilities. This proactive approach is a big step forward in contrast to a reactive approach to healthcare.
Q. How do you help patients achieve their health goals?
A. As an engagement specialist, I will help patients with their health goals by first encouraging them to establish care with their doctors at Table Health. It can be very difficult to set goals without knowing where your baseline for health is at.
Q. What emerging trends or technologies excite you most in the field of healthcare?
A. I find the growing emphasis on exercising for mental health to be both valuable and sustainable. When we focus on movement we genuinely enjoy, it fosters consistency and delivers longer-lasting benefits compared to exercising solely for weight loss.
Similarly, the rise of health and wellness coaches is a positive trend, offering essential guidance and support for those feeling stuck or unsure about how to take steps toward a healthier lifestyle.
Q. Who do you follow in the medical, health/wellness community? Why?
A. I follow these various professionals, who together, offer a well rounded guide to health and wellness:
Merrithew Stott Pilates
Eat Right Pro
Kids.eat.in.color
The Blue Zones
James Clear
Big Life Journal
The Gut Health MD
Q. How do you spend your free time?
A. I enjoy spending my free time with my husband, kids, and dogs, especially outdoors. I love running trails, paddle boarding, snowboarding, hiking, and traveling to new and familiar places.
Q. Who inspires you?
A. I find inspiration in my children, husband, and those around me, as I believe that everyone’s unique gifts, vulnerabilities, and quirks bring valuable contributions to the world.
Q. What book did you last read?
A. Fiber Fueled
Q. What do you love about the Traverse City area?
A. So many things! I enjoy all of the views of the water, fun pockets of communities with different flares, and access to outdoor recreation.
Q. Why did you choose this profession?
A. I am truly passionate about thoughtful and holistic approaches to health, because when our physical and mental health are taken care of, so many aspects of life become richer.