Melanie Bauch, NEIAWRC Director of Operations, receives 2024 Healthiest State Initiative Individual Award

Melanie Bauch, who has been the Director of Operations at the Northeast Iowa Wellness and Recreation Center (NEIAWRC) for the last five years, recently received a prestigious honor as she was selected as the 2024 Healthiest State Initiative Individual Award winner. Bauch was recognized for her efforts to improve the physical, social and mental well-being of the community at a ceremony held Wednesday, April 17 in Ankeny during the Workplace Wellbeing Conference. Having been notified that she was one of three finalists for the award, Bauch was in attendance at the event as she received her award from Iowa Lt. Governor Adam Gregg.

When announcing that Bauch was the recipient of the first place award, Jami Habert, executive director of the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative explained the purpose of the awards by saying, “The awards are our opportunity to highlight the amazing work being done by individuals and organizations across the state to support the well-being of their fellow Iowans. Creating a healthier Iowa takes hard work and dedication, and our finalists and winners provide a fantastic example for the rest of the state to follow.”

When one peruses Bauch’s accomplishments, it is obvious the honor is well-deserved and a tribute to her hard work and dedication.

Along with being the director of operations at the NEIAWRC, Bauch is also a fitness instructor and lifeguard. She is a personal trainer, cycling instructor, yoga instructor, and kettlebell instructor. Her training also includes being a certified trauma informed coach and a corrective exercise specialist. Additional training includes CPR and biomechanics.

As she promotes community wellness, Bauch is an ambassador for Make it OK, Mental Health Awareness, and the I’m Glad You Stayed Project. She is a member of the Allamakee Community Prevention Advisory Board and the Postville Community Heart and Soul Core Team.

As the Center’s Grant Writer, Bauch has helped secure considerable funding for the community, specifically area youth. Currently, the center is in a three year partnership with Upper Explorerland for a 5-2-1-0 grant. In year one the grant included sports gear, an indoor water fill station, gaga pit at city park, an outdoor fountain and fill station at Hall Roberts’ Park. Year two projects include an indoor water fill station, the bike repair station, the vending machine offering healthy options. In year three two new basketball hoops for city park are among the projects.

Other grants received include the Minnesota Twins Youth Sports Coaching and Equipment Grant, Pitch in for Baseball and Softball Equipment Grant; Paint Iowa Beautiful Grant; Allamakee Community Foundation Grant for an electronic scoreboard at the City Field. 

The Center was able to purchase a second NuStep after receiving a donation from Black Hills Energy and a new treadmill was funded through an Arlin Falck grant.

Bauch said, “As a nonprofit we are also very fortunate to have a working relationship and collaboration with the school district. Our Board of Directors and volunteers are extremely dedicated and work tirelessly to make sure the center runs smoothly.”

She added, “I am truly fortunate to work at the NEIWRC where there are so many people who are like a second family to me as they support the Center, the members, the Board of Directors, the employees, and the community.”

With the support of the core group of volunteers, many behind the scenes improvements take place as needed at the NEIWRC. Recent improvements include, but are not limited to, updating and replacing the free weights and racks, swimming pool updates and maintenance  including replacing the sand filter and circulation pump.

NEIWRC also prides itself on promoting events that benefit the health and well-being of the entire community. The Big Four Fair 5K Run will be held June 15 and a K-9 Fun Night with the Postville Police will also be held this spring.

A vaping informational presentation in collaboration with Palmer Lutheran Health Center was held April 24 and two events promoting Mental Health Awareness will be held this month as well.

When not busy at the NEIWRC, Melanie and her husband, Tim, whom she is quick to point out is her best supporter and volunteer, enjoy biking, kayaking and running. They also enjoy an occasional trip to the theater or a concert.

The Northeast Iowa Wellness and Recreation Center has been affiliated with the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative for five years. More information about the Initiative may be found at the Iowa Healthiest State website. The 2024 Healthiest State Annual Awards are sponsored by HealthPartners UnityPoint Health, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa Medical Society, Holmes Murphy and Malvern Bank.