Across our company

Health and wellness fair in Decorah a success

Rockwell Collins employees in Decorah, Iowa, are taking strides toward reducing the amount of stress in their lives and enhancing their physical and emotional wellbeing.

Employees recently received a wealth of information on topics including nutrition, chiropractic care, dental health, cancer awareness and more during the Rockwell Collins Health and Wellness Fair at our facility in Decorah. Local emergency response teams from the area also participated in the event.

In conjunction with the Luther College Nursing Department, our Decorah facility hosted more than 20 vendors who spent the first half of the day providing our employees with ways to improve their health. The fair was open to the public throughout the afternoon.

Rockwell Collins Test Technician Scott Schmitz (left) talks with Mike Huinker (center) and Kirk Johnson of the Trails of Winneshiek County about the proposed Trout Run River Recreational Trail during the recent health and wellness fair at our facility in Decorah. Photo by Cindy Shanks

Rockwell Collins Production Operator Lorna Rothmeyer (left) discusses various health issues with Perry Numedahl of Champion Chiropractic in Decorah during the recent Rockwell Collins Health and Wellness Fair at our Decorah facility. Photo by Cindy Shanks

"We have such a good relationship with the Luther College Nursing Department and we really enjoy working with their students," said Tom Hauber, who helped coordinate the event. "The work they do for us on this fair is tremendous and we will definitely continue working with them in the future."

According to Jenny Fleshner, a representative from Anytime Fitness Health Club in Decorah, attendees — both from Rockwell Collins and the public — showed a tremendous amount of interest in the topics presented.

"A fair like this one is such a positive thing for Rockwell Collins to provide its employees," said Fleshner, who offered free blood pressure screenings at her booth. "Health and wellness is extremely important and I will definitely participate again."

Although the health and wellness fair has been held on a bi-annual basis, event organizers are considering making it an annual event. Company leaders also are considering sponsoring or co-sponsoring a similar event in downtown Decorah to increase our visibility and to encourage public attendance.

"This was such a positive event not only for our employees but for our company as a whole," said Gordon Davis, Jr., plant manager in Decorah. "The fair provides us with an opportunity for community outreach, and it strengthened the already good relationship we have with the nursing department at Luther College."

Hauber agreed, adding that the fair has come a long way since it began in 1999. "We only had about 12 vendors at our initial fair, so we've grown by leaps and bounds," he said. "This was our first attempt at offering it to the public, and we hope to continue extending our outreach in the community in years to come."