Ludington Hospital

Ludington Hospital’s Fit Club expands to Hart, Pentwater schools

Win with Wellness Fit Club is a school-based initiative designed to help elementary school children learn about the importance of health and wellness through in-class education sessions and opportunities to participate in a walking/running challenge and fitness-related community events.

Kathy Grierson, PA-C, community health coordinator for the hospital and leader of the Fit Club program, explained that the program is being introduced to elementary schools in the Hart, Pentwater, Mason County Central, and Mason County Eastern school districts.

In addition, a community health educator, Leona Ashley, has been added to the hospital’s community health staff to help roll out the program to the new schools. Ashley is an experienced educator, who is also fluent in Spanish.

“All of the new schools will be getting the ‘Fit’ Education module which walks them through the benefits of fitness and our Fit Club program,” said Grierson.

As with the Ludington schools, the program will teach students about the importance of developing positive, healthy behaviors that can help them enjoy a lifetime of fitness and wellness. Grierson and Ashley incorporate fun fitness activities, such as a 100-mile physical activity challenge, with prizes for the kids as they reach milestones toward their goal. Running and walking are a big part of the challenge, but other health-related activities also have mile “equivalents” that also count toward the goal.

Periodic special events, such as free 5K participation and in-school presentations on various health topics are included in the program.

In its first year, nearly 65 percent of the target student population participated—a total of 1,200 students. Grierson said the expanded program hopes to reach 3,000 students this year. Approximately 500 kids have already signed up in the new school year.

Also new to the program this year are online Fit Club registration and miles tracking at www.spectrumhealth.org/fitclub, and collaboration with physical education teachers to track fitness measures. One Fit Club student at each of the schools, among those who earn their 100 miles goal, will be selected through a raffle to win a bicycle and helmet.

Grierson and Ashley receive input and guidance from physician advisors Kari Leikert, DO; Tammy Middlebrook, MD; and James Ryan, DO. Both teachers and community members serve as role models and volunteers for the program and the kids.

The Ludington-based hospital also has offices of Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital Family Medicine in Hart and Pentwater, led by Allan Nelson, MD.

Win with Wellness is a free community-wide initiative designed to enhance healthy living through the promotion of wellness.  The Win with Wellness initiative currently consists of three parts:

• Win with Wellness Fit Club
• Win with Wellness Biometric Screenings
• Win with Wellness Senior Life

More information about the Win with Wellness Fit Club is available at www.spectrumhealth.org/fitclub.