Spectrum Health Healthier Communities Wins Honor

“Commit to Be Fit” Program Named Ludwig Award Winner

The “Commit to Be Fit” wellness program has been selected to receive the 2010 Ludwig Community Benefit Award. “Commit to Be Fit” is a collaborative effort between Spectrum Health and The SOURCE, a nonprofit workforce collaborative organization in Grand Rapids.

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) presents the Ludwig Community Benefit Award to member organizations that have aided their communities in extraordinary ways. The award is presented annually to health care organizations that demonstrate community benefit by improving the health and well-being of their communities through health care, economic or social initiatives. The award criteria strongly emphasize outcomes that impact the welfare of the communities the programs serve.

The program offers on-site health interventions to employees at area manufacturers, including one-on-one quarterly health screenings, individual consultation in setting health and wellness goals, health challenge events and educational presentations. Employers provide incentives for employees to join the program.

Since 2006, more than 2,200 area employees have enrolled in “Commit to Be Fit.” Since then, 23 percent of the participants quit smoking, 64 percent increased their physical activity, and 98 percent achieved improved blood pressure rates.

“This program is a great example of the difference true collaboration can make in the health of a community,” said Erin Inman, director, Spectrum Health Healthier Communities. “Partnering with area employers to encourage healthier lifestyles benefits everyone involved.”

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan that offers a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, a collection of eight hospitals and more than 140 service sites; the Spectrum Health Medical Group, mmpc® and West Michigan Heart—physician groups totaling more than 400 providers; and Priority Health, a health plan with nearly 580,000 members. Spectrum Health’s 16,000 employees, 1,500 medical staff members and 2,000 volunteers are committed to delivering the highest quality care. The organization provided $79.4 million in community benefit during its 2009 fiscal year. In 2010, Spectrum Health was named a Top 10 Health System by Thomson Reuters.