Cochabamba, Bolivia

Cochabamba, Bolivia
Cochabamba, Bolivia

Monday, July 5, 2010

The 1st Walk-a-thon "Walk for your health!"




On Saturday July 3rd the Good Samaritan Hospital sponsored it's first walk-a-thon to initiate it's new Wellness Program. The program started after the death of one of our employees who was only 40 years old. She died of a heart attack while working. After her death I began talking with the hospital administrator, Moises Sifren, and the assistant medical director, Franklin Bido, about the need for our hospital to start a wellness program. It would focus on preventative measures that employees could take to avoid complications of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. We will also focus on monitoring our health as well as encouraging employees to begin and exercise program. As a hospital, we should set the example for our patients in regards to good health and healthy lifestyles. The walk-a-thon was the beginning of this endeavor! It was a very hot day, around 100 degrees, but we had well over 300 people participating. There were employees and their families as well as invited guests, volunteer medical personnel and over 80 American's!! I've posted several pictures from the event.
Following the 5 mile walk-a-thon through the streets of La Romana, there was a concert by Rayos de Luz and Orquesta Maranatha in front of the Maranatha Haitian Baptist Church.
Our next objective is to get as many employees as possible signed up for health screening exams and started on an exercise and healthy eating program. We plan to build a walking/running track on the hospital grounds as well as a gymnasium at the hospital that would be available to hospital employees and the physical therapy patients.
This is just the beginning. Eventually, we hope that our program will encourage other businesses and hospitals to set the same example and begin employee wellness programs.
Please keep us in your prayers as we begin and let me know if you would be willing to help in any of these activities!
May God bless you!
Kristy