Kaiser Santa Rosa Dietitian Presents the Thrive Message to the Oxford Round Table in England

As a registered dietitian specializing in diabetes care, Melanie Larson RD, spends most of her time counseling Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa members about health and nutrition in the health education department. For one week in April, however, Melanie shared her expertise with peers from around the country as a participant in the prestigious Oxford Round Table, an annual educational policy forum held at England's historic Oxford University.

Melanie Larson RD, took the Thrive message to Oxford, England.

"The Round Table provided an incredible atmosphere," says Melanie. "I was one of 35 presenters, representing 28 U.S. states—including health professionals with varied perspectives, backgrounds, and approaches."

This year's Round Table was the first to focus on life sciences, with Melanie addressing diabetes education. Her presentation examined the behavioral components of diabetes, specifically how to motivate people to change their nutrition and physical activity behaviors for prevention as opposed to making typical "in the moment changes," which often are motivated by fear and crisis. She addressed the question: How do we motivate people in a positive, pleasurable way that elicits health behavior change before diabetes or any chronic disease occurs?

"I was both grateful and proud to represent Kaiser Permanente at such an important event"
Melanie Larson, RD

"We have a challenge as health educators," Melanie says. "How do we help people to see the need for behavior changes that will benefit them and get them motivated to choose a healthy lifestyle?"

Melanie was pleasantly surprised to discover her colleagues at the Oxford Round Table included Kaiser Permanente members from Southern California, Colorado, and Georgia. "The attendees had all heard great things about the Thrive campaign, and the clear, positive messages it presents," she says. "In my presentation, I was able to show how Thrive is moving Kaiser Permanente forward in the areas of health promotion and disease prevention.

"There's a real disconnect between what we know about diabetes and what most people are practicing—including those of us in the health field," Melanie says. "As Kaiser Permanente team members, we have a professional responsibility to represent healthy living, as well as having an individual responsibility for our own well-being. Our message to Kaiser Permanente members needs to be reflected in our own behavior."

Melanie appreciates the support and encouragement she received from coworkers while preparing for her journey across the Atlantic. "I was both grateful and proud to represent Kaiser Permanente at such an important event," she says.