Certified Healthy Business hospitals gather to learn next steps for community wellness

Posted on: April 12, 2012

Representatives from 27 hospitals across the state gathered at an Oklahoma Hospital Association conference Tuesday, April 10, “Certified Healthy Business: Next Steps.” The hospitals, which were all named Oklahoma Certified Healthy Businesses earlier this year, discussed ways to challenge other businesses and schools in their communities to institute wellness programs and how to lead their communities to become Certified Healthy Communities.

The event, held at the Norman Regional Health System Education Center, focused on hospitals working to improve Oklahoma’s overall health statistics. Paula Price, RN, director of health promotion and community, Norman Regional Health System, spoke to participants about NRHS’s successful efforts around community wellness in Norman and Noble. To view Prices’s PowerPoint presentation, go to www.okoha.com/wellness.

Gary Hayes, mayor of Noble, and Gail Hilty, Noble Public Schools, spoke about their successful efforts to become a Certified Healthy Community. Dr. Kathy Taber, principal at Jefferson Elementary in Norman, and Nan Schuchman, physical education teacher, discussed their partnership with NRHS in instituting student wellness programs and becoming a Certified Healthy School. Pam Campbell, director of community outreach, Lifecare Oklahoma, spoke about their successful efforts to be a Certified Healthy Business year after year.

Conference attendees also participated in tabletop discussions to explore ideas for working with their communities to bring about successful wellness programs.

The event was a part of the Oklahoma Hospital Association’s hospital wellness initiative, Your 1 2 3. The Your 1 2 3 initiative challenges hospitals and individual hospital employees to take the first three steps to a healthier self, hospital and community. For more information on the Your 1 2 3 initiative, go to www.okoha.com/wellness.