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Putnam Valley Nurse Leads Fellow Employees in Teaming Up for Fitness
 | | Tina Marro, APRN, FNP, (far left) stands with other fellow employees who are participating in the Shape Up 2007 contest at HVHC. |
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When Tina Marro of Putnam Valley, registered nurse and family nurse practitioner, working at Hudson Valley Hospital Center, decided to spearhead a contest for employees to lose weight, she never dreamed that so many people wanted to participate. Twenty teams, consisting of five people for each team, have begun to eat healthier, and change their lifestyle with regular exercise. "The word spread so fast that in a matter of days we had 100 employees who wanted to participate," states Ms. Marro. The contest lasts for 12 weeks and the team that loses the most weight wins a cash prize.
Healthcare workers are usually so busy helping other people, that they are sometimes remiss in taking care of themselves. "This is a fun way that caregivers are caring for themselves," further states Ms. Marro. At lunchtime, employees can be seen walking around the hospital campus, climbing stairs rather than using the elevator, and saying no to fatty foods.
The administration of the hospital applauds the weightloss effort, and has kept a close eye on making sure that the hospital cafeteria is stocked with foods that support a healthy lifestyle. "We have many selections available that are trans-fat free, and many others that are heart-healthy and promote good eating habits," states John C. Federspiel, hospital president. "And keeping track of lunch-time walks is easy since we've posted milemarkers around the hospital campus."
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