Grant Allows Maria Parham to Further Promote Wellness
5/20/2010
With the help of a mini-grant awarded by Eat Smart, Move More NC, Maria Parham Medical Center has transformed one its frequently-used stairwells to promote its increased use. This ‘stairwell initiative’ is one of many plans being implemented by the hospital’s new wellness program for its employees and volunteers, HOW – Healthy Options that Work.
The grant helped fund painting the stairwell in bright and inviting colors and then placing motivational posters and artwork along the walls. One poster says “The cheapest gym anywhere----the stairs!” Another says, “Physical Activity will add years to your life and life to your years!” Still another says “Small steps make a big difference!” The project is aimed at promoting the use of the stairs as a way to incorporate physical activity into employees’ already busy lives. Doing things like taking the stairs can ‘sneak’ activity in. A secondary function of the stairwell initiative is to motivate employees to climb stairs to earn points towards a new incentive plan with the HOW program. The Eat Smart, Move More Granville and Vance Counties mini-grant program also included several Lunch and Learn sessions to help share and discuss project ideas and progress among other local grant recipients.
Kerry Rubio, a member of the committee that oversees the HOW program at Maria Parham remarks, “We are very grateful to have received this grant from Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina. Thanks to them we have a beautiful new stairwell that helps to motivate health and wellness in our workplace.”