"The Ronan Report" provides insight about the activities at the Western Maryland Health System in Cumberland, Maryland, and about the changes taking place in healthcare today from a CEO's perspective.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Keeping our Kids Fit

In my Blog for August 16, I mentioned that we had a meeting with administrators and teachers from three local schools to plan the kick-off events for their involvement with Project Fit America.  The Project Fit America program includes outdoor and indoor fitness equipment with a dynamic curriculum of fitness games and challenges, on-site teacher training, and in-class education on nutrition and other health-related topics. 

Last week, Flintstone Elementary School became the first school in Maryland to become part of Project Fit America.  Today, New Creek Elementary School in neighboring Mineral County, West Virginia, became the first school in that state to join the program.  Next week, Bishop Walsh School in Cumberland will have its kick-off festivities.

WMHS and Maryland Physicians Care, the managed care organization that WMHS co-owns with several other hospitals, provided the funding to bring this innovative program to three schools in our service area.  Our hope is that the concept will be successful and these schools will serve as a model for the rest of Allegany County and Mineral County schools.  Based on the early reactions from the children and their teachers, I think this has been a good investment for the future.

Students from New Creek Elementary School demonstrate
the sport hoop challenge at today's kick-off festivities

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