New AgriLife Extension health agent hired in Ochiltree, Lipscomb, Roberts counties
Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, [email protected]
Contact: McKayla Stephen, 806-435-4501, [email protected]
PERRYTON – McKayla Stephen is the new Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service health agent in Ochiltree, Lipscomb and Roberts counties. She began Feb. 11 and is located in the AgriLife Extension office in Ochiltree County.
“We are excited to have McKayla in this new role for AgriLife Extension,” said Brandon Dukes, district administrator in Amarillo. “Her ability to focus on health issues and disease prevention will allow her to effectively serve our clientele in those areas.”
Dr. Angela Burkham, AgriLife Extension state program leader for family and community health and regional program leader in the Amarillo, said this new multi-county health agent position is designed to deliver programs that will provide education in the area of health and encourage behavior changes that can improve quality of life and increase life expectancy.
While Stephen said she has had many jobs, from waiting tables to coaching to working as a business assistant for a dental office, she is excited about this new position that will allow her to “combine my passion for fitness and nutrition with my enthusiasm for teaching.”
Stephen, a native of Burlington, Colorado, earned her bachelor’s degree in recreation management with an emphasis on exercise science from Chadron State College, Chadron, Nebraska. She recently moved to the Perryton area.
“I’m excited about working with the local schools in all three counties and the hospitals to create programs that provide education to help us build healthier communities,” she said.
Stephen said she will first build upon the programs that are already in place through AgriLife Extension, but wants to make sure to add budgeting for nutritional meals into the mix.
“I want to get the elderly up and moving with some low-impact exercise programs and also teach them some tools to use at home to increase their activity,” she said. “I also want to bring health programs back into the schools where possible.”
For more information about possible educational programs in the three-county area, contact Stephen at [email protected] or 806-435-4501.
