Healthy Living

Sitting in the crowd at The William W. Backus Hospital annual meeting Wednesday, I couldn’t have been more proud.

For much of the past year my colleagues and I have had the privilege of working with Myra Ambrogi, Director of the Plainfield Recreation Department, on a pilot program to make residents of southern Windham County healthier.

The Enjoy LIFE (Lifelong Investment in Fitness and Exercise) program has touched the lives many people in this region, which struggles with obesity at a rate that his higher than the state and nation.

While we provided some of the clinicians that led the community education events, Ms. Ambrogi provided the unrivaled enthusiasm, ideas and ways to communicate with members of the community that made this collaboration such a success.

Because of this great partnership, and because we know that obesity is a major health issue that needs to be dealt with, Backus Hospital presented the Plainfield Recreation Department with its second annual President’s Award at the annual meeting.

The award includes a $10,000 investment to help combat obesity in the Plainfield region — especially for children and their families. We know that 70% of overweight children end up as overweight adults. So this is where we need to start.

The funds will be used to provide a series of educational activities and workshops focusing on healthier lifestyles for elementary school children and their families.

The program, in collaboration with other stakeholders in northeastern Connecticut, will focus on the whole family, addressing behaviors, physical activities and nutrition in schools and at home.

I am thankful to work at an organization that recognizes the value of collaboration, and cares about the community. Backus President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Whitehead sums it all up this way:

“We value partnerships — collaborations that extend and enforce our mission,” he said. “We are so fortunate to have found just such a wonderful partner in the Plainfield Recreation Department, and we look forward to seeing the results that our combined efforts have.”

I couldn’t agree more.

Alice Facente is a registered nurse and clinical educator with the The William W. Backus Hospital Education Department. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. If you want to comment on this column or others, visit the Healthy Living blog at www.backushospital.org/backus-blogs or e-mail Ms. Facente or any of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org