WINNEMUCCA - Louis Mendiola was born in Winnemucca, he graduated from high school in Winnemucca and now he's going to jump-start his career in Winnemucca.
Mendiola, the son of Joyce and Vince Mendiola, has taken the position of wellness coordinator at Humboldt General Hospital, replacing Melissa House who moved to Denver, Colo., in June.
As wellness coordinator, Mendiola is charged with organizing and directing a variety of programs and activities aimed at helping both HGH employees and Humboldt County residents achieve the best physical health possible.
Mendiola, who graduated from Lowry High School in 2006 before earning his bachelor of science in community health from the University of Nevada, Reno, last May, said he's excited for the challenge.
"I am really happy to be here and to fill this position," he said. "I'm looking forward to dedicating my time to developing and implementing programs, systems, and products that will improve the health and wellness of our community."
Since his high school years, Mendiola has been intensely interested in healthcare. "I knew I wanted to do something in the field," he explained.
Initially, he thought working on healthcare's clinical side as a practitioner would suit him. But the past six years have provided enough experiences to help him now decide that he might enjoy the administrative side of the field as well.
He said his new position as wellness coordinator merges both.
"I will get to use my clinical knowledge and my administrative experience at the same time, so this really is a good fit," he said.
In 2006, Mendiola began working as an emergency department technician at Renown Medical Center while attending college. A year later, he also began working casual call with Humboldt General Hospital Emergency Medical Services Rescue, a position he continues to hold; he is currently an EMT-Intermediate.
While Mendiola says both positions have been "eye-opening," he also credits the two with continuing to bolster his love of the healthcare profession and helping him understand the need for wellness and prevention.
"Given the dynamics of healthcare in the U.S., people are concerned with wellness," he said. "They understand that wellness and prevention are key, not only to healthier lives but also to healthcare savings."
In his new position, Mendiola will continue many of the programs the hospital has instituted over the years under its "Healthy You" brand.
Mendiola said he has plenty of ideas for new offerings as well - opportunities for community residents to be more proactive where their health is concerned.
"Wellness is about small steps toward the greater whole of health," he said. "Small changes every day can lead to huge improvements over time. My job will be to help lead us as a hospital and as a community through that process."
Humboldt General Hospital's "Healthy You" Community Wellness Program is available to members of the community who are interested in improving their health and wellness.
Program components include blood pressure checks, body composition analysis (height, weight, BMI, body fat), fitness and nutritional assessments and more.
For more information, please stop by the hospital and ask for Humboldt General Hospital Wellness Coordinator Louis Mendiola, or call 623-5222, ext. 258.
There is no charge to participate and all ages are welcome.
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