The celebration to conclude the Methodist Charlton Medical Center Heart of the Community Family Challenge with Cedar Hill ISD was filled with stories of success. Student Casey Martinez shared how she lost weight during the challenge and how much she enjoyed preparing meals with her family. Her mother, Cecelia Martinez, says being involved in the program was a blessing in disguise. Through screening offered during the challenge, her mother was diagnosed with high blood pressure. Martinez said her own cholesterol dropped by 30 points. Desiree Alexander enjoyed the accountability of the program and learned a lot of helpful information.
Guest speaker for the event, Michael Sorrell, president of Paul Quinn College, shared his story of surviving sudden cardiac arrest and the importance of heart health. “I survived because my heart was healthy and I led a healthy lifestyle,” he says.
Earlier this year, Methodist Charlton teamed up with students, parents, and faculty at Cedar Hill ISD for the family-focused, 12-week Heart of the Community Family Challenge program. The goal of the program was to help families make lifestyle changes that bring them greater health and wellness. Participation in the program included health screenings, interactive quizzes, exercise classes to get them moving, nutrition, and health education.
The program was built around family participation, and participants were rewarded with financial incentives. Students, siblings, parents, and even grandparents took part in the program.
Methodist Charlton President Jonathan S. Davis, FACHE, says the program addresses the top three health risks in the hospital’s service area — high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking — according to the 2010 National Research Corporation Consumer Health Report.
“As a hospital serving the community, our goal is to combat those risks with tools for prevention,” he says. “The Heart of the Community program is a broader initiative of Methodist Health System to provide programs and services that focus on taking care of the heart.”
“We are excited about being involved in this pilot project with Methodist Charlton Medical Center,” said Dr. Chanda McGhee, director of Student Support and Community Services at Cedar Hill ISD. “We are thrilled that Methodist Charlton facilitated this program that will help families develop a healthier lifestyle.”
