Kick Up Your Heals and Your Heart Rate
"Get your kicks on Route 66" is a familiar saying to many of us. Maybe it makes you think of road trips into the western sunset with the windows down and your favorite song turned way up on the radio. Or perhaps it brings to mind the long ribbon of highway and all of the history it has seen throughout the years. But for many patients at the Battle Creek Health System's Cardiac Rehab Center, that famed route west is even more special.
Instead of hitting the pavement with slick muscle cars, BCHS cardiac rehab patients took to treadmills, bicycles, and other gym equipment as part of the hospital's 4th Annual Incentive Challenge using the theme 'Route 66.'
Cardiac Coordinator Nate Burns encouraged his patients to be motivated and ready to start living healthy. "I like to have the 20-week incentive challenge kick-off at the start of the year because it helps our patients keep their New Years' resolutions for a healthy lifestyle."
Beginning in January 53 patients came to the cardiac gym up to three times per week for at least an hour per day. For every hour they spent exercising, they were credited 50 miles. Their target goal was 2,450 miles-- the actual length of Route 66.
By the close of the challenge in May, 17 of the original participants completed the full 2,450 miles of exercise. To recognize their efforts, all of their names were put in a drawing with the grand prize consisting of two tickets to the Gilmore Car Museum, two tickets to the Barn Theater, dinner at the Yarrow Country Club, an overnight stay at the Brook Lodge, brunch at the Brook Lodge, and a ride in a Corvette.
The winner was Ginny Stecker. "Ginny Stecker is a very dedicated patient," says Burns. "She puts the time and effort into her exercises and the other patients really enjoy her company."
Other prizes given away included restaurant gift certificates and gift baskets donated by physicians and local businesses. Congratulations to Ginny and all of the participants at the Cardiac Rehab Center.
Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic health system in the U.S. with 12 hospitals, 9 nursing homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Battle Creek Health System as a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm). HealthGrades is a leading health care information company that provides objective 'report card' ratings nationwide. BCHS provides excellent health care for the community and promotes wellness for the whole person with access and compassion for all. For the latest medical information, visit the BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing Department at (269) 966-8132.
Ginny Stecker (third from left) receives the grand prize certificate from Micki Holder (RRT) while Nate Burns (EP), Deb Pierce (RRT), Sarah Josslin (RRT), and Kelly Reickets (EP) watch. Stecker and 52 other cardiac rehab patients took part in the BCHS Cardiac Pulmonary Center Rehab Challenge earlier this year. Patients exercised for 20 weeks, accumulating 2,450 miles (1 hour of exercise was equivalent to 50 miles), the same as the length of Route 66.
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