By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
Hammond-Henry Hospital and the Geneseo School District have teamed up to add wellness stations along the walking path at the Geneseo Middle School.
Katie Orwig, Hammond-Henry Hospital Foundation Manager, said, “In an effort to engage with the community, HHH has created an employee-led committee to offer events both inside and outside of the hospital.”
HHH will host an event to celebrate the unveiling of the four wellness stations at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, and members of the community are welcome. Walkers along the path will be able to see the new signs as well as receive some giveaways at each of the wellness stations.
The idea for the wellness stations originated with Marcia Wirth, HHH dietitian. She and her daughter regularly walk a path at Rosland Park in Edina, MN, where there are signs along the way with exercises that can be done as part of a walker’s loop around a lake.
According to Orwig, Wirth has long thought this was something that cold be done in Geneseo…As a co-lead on the community committee, Wirth brought the idea to the group.
Many locations were discussed, but the Middle School walking path seemed to be the best place.
Geneseo Middle School Principal Nate O’Dell was contacted and he brought in the appropriate staff to help in the decision-making process.
The project involves several departments within HHH. Rehab department staff Jennifer Mills and John Davis chose the exercises to be listed and made instructional videos that can be assessed from each sign by a QR code. Using her nutrition background, Wirth teamed up with fellow HHH dietitian Anna Kreiser to add nutritional information and can be expanded upon with the help of an additional QR code.
The cost of the signs was covered by a donation to the HHH Foundation by Wirth, Inc., and Orwig said, “We are happy to partner with community leaders like Wirth, Inc., and the Geneseo School District to establish what we hope to be a long-lasting enhancement to the walking path.”
In addition to her position as HHH Foundation Manager, Orwig also is co-lea d of the community committee.
