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Moving “Upstream” and building a culture of health

From the desk of: Gary Campbell, president and CEO

Mark Twain said, “Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.” Although we’ll try not to be annoying, Centura Health has determined to be an example for the people of Colorado by creating a culture of health and inspiring them to live healthier lives. Our mission calls us to nurture the health of the people of our communities; and the Centura Health 2020 strategic plan directs us to support wellness, rather than just treating illness. Yesterday, we announced an ambitious plan to take this part of our mission and strategic plan to even more Coloradans, as well as our own associates. This article will focus on some of the specifics of the community initiative. We’ll discuss our associate initiative, in detail, in a future issue of the Friday Update.

Impacting obesity in Colorado
After much research, discussion, and input from many associates around the Centura Health family, we have chosen to impact obesity in Colorado. By partnering with the communities we serve, helping people improve health habits, and encouraging active lifestyles, we believe we can significantly reduce our state’s obesity statistics. Although our state is one of the leanest in the nation, the prevalence of obesity is increasing. From 1995 through 2008, adult obesity in Colorado increased from 10.1 to 19.1 percent. This means that more than half of Colorado’s adults, 2.1 million of them, are overweight or obese. To impact and improve this important health status, the Health Management Council will lead the initiative to identify, assess, develop and foster the adoption of distinctive, high-value programs and services directed at obesity. The council will also partner with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to measure outcomes through a state-wide survey.

Many exemplary Centura Health programs already in existence
In many respects, we already have a head start on our obesity-fighting efforts. Our entities have been leading the way to nurture the health of our communities for many years with effective programs that fight obesity and encourage people to live healthy, active lifestyles. Here are just a few examples:

  • The Health Passport walking groups and health programs through St. Anthony Central and St. Anthony North promote wellness for community members.
  • Specifically, the Healthier Living Program (through Health Passport) promotes an active life and management of ongoing conditions.
  • The Healthy Neighborhood Project is improving the health status of residents in a neighborhood near Penrose-St. Francis Health Services.
  • A wellness nutrition program is offered by St. ThomasMoreHospital for families of children at risk for obesity.
  • Health and wellness classes are offered throughout the community by PorterAdventistHospital.
  • Bike races, hikes, walks and snowshoe events are sponsored by AnthonySummitMedicalCenter to encourage associates and the community to get moving and help a good cause at the same time.
  • A 10-week summer program led by St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center, called Smart Moves for Kids, inspires kids ages 8-12 and their families to make healthy food choices and increase physical activity.
  • The Life Fitness program and MyHealth wellness programs at MercyRegionalMedicalCenter focus on lifestyle changes, exercise, nutrition, and coping with stress – with coaching from cardiopulmonary and wellness professionals.
  • A wellness campaign by LittletonAdventistHospital featured floor clings in supermarkets, with messages such as “30 minutes a day” and “20 more laps” as a way to promote good health and a lower body mass index.
  • Nutrition for Kids and Women’s Health seminars by St. Anthony North Hospital promote healthy lifestyles to the community.
  • Classes on healthy lifestyles and prevention are offered to the community, employers and Penrose-St. Francis associates by The Health Learning Center at PSF and the Health Incentive Improvement Program (HIIP).
  • The Bariatric & Metabolic Center of Colorado at ParkerAdventistHospital partners with patients to attain long-term weight loss success through comprehensive pre-operative evaluations, surgery, post-operative support groups and educational seminars.
  • And even at the Gardens at St. Elizabeth, a new walking path gives residents a safe place to exercise and enjoy the outdoors.

There are many other excellent programs that the Health Management Council will be evaluating to determine the best way of accomplishing our goals of fighting obesity and inspiring people to live healthier lives. While we already see more than 500,000 Coloradans each year for sick care, we will greatly expand our mission through this focused, state-wide, healthy living effort. If your entity has developed a successful healthy living program, and/or you have ideas for connecting with your community in the fight against obesity, please let us know at