Cary Medical Center’s Healthy You program was recently selected by the Maine Governor’s Council on Physical Activity as the runner-up for the 2009 Maine Fitness Awards in the Community Category. Co-chaired by Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson and Bangor-based physician Dr. Erik Steele, the Council recognizes Maine organizations, businesses, schools, civic groups and individuals involved in promoting health and wellness through physical activity.
Contributed photo
Members of Cary Medical Center’s Healthy You team, runner-up in the 2009 Maine Fitness Awards in the community category, recently attended an awards ceremony hosted by Gov. John Baldacci. From left, are, Steven Gagnon, Key Bank senior vice president; Kim Jones, Cary Medical Center public relations coordinator and Healthy You program manager; Kris Doody, RN, Cary Medical Center CEO; and Candace Roy, Key Bank branch manager in Caribou.
Awards are given each year in the categories of youth, adult, workplace, special populations and community, based on the following criteria: physical activity/fitness component, creativity, affordability, number of participants reached,and health education.
“Considering that we’ve only just completed our first year of Healthy You, it’s very encouraging to have received this statewide recognition,” said Kim Jones, Cary Medical Center public relations coordinator and Healthy You program manager. “We’re really honored to have been selected as an award recipient by the Governor’s Council and look forward to building upon this success,” Jones added.
Healthy You is a health and wellness program, initiated by Cary Medical Center and sponsored by Key Bank, that was developed in direct response to feedback from a series of focus groups conducted in Aroostook County in 2006. Focus group results revealed that residents wanted more access to information and activities that could positively impact their overall wellbeing, including physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual wellness. To meet this need, Healthy You was developed to provide a broad range of customized programs in Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Van Buren, Washburn, Limestone, and Presque Isle. Through the program, activities and presentations are offered for two full months per year in each of the six target communities and cover topics such as physical fitness, stress management, disease prevention, holistic medicine, finances, parenting and socialization opportunities. Jones noted that all Healthy You programs are open to the general public and are free of charge, thanks to collaboration and support from local recreation departments, school departments, civic groups, municipalities and businesses, including a $10,000 donation from Key Bank in 2008.
“Key Bank is a proud supporter of Healthy You,” said Steven Gagnon, Key Bank senior vice president, “we understand the critical importance of promoting health and wellness in our communities and are pleased to be a part of this program. I’d like to extend our sincere congratulations to Cary Medical Center for this well deserved recognition.”
For a calendar of events and additional information about Healthy You, visit www.carymedicalcenter.org or call Cary Medical Center’s public relations office at 498-1361.
