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Belleville, NJ – Over 100 Clara Maass Medical
Center employees have joined in an effort to not only keep patients
healthy, but to set an example by keeping themselves healthy. Similar
to The Biggest Loser, The Clara Maass Weight-Loss Challenge
will test Clara Maass employees in a friendly competition to eat
more healthily and exercise more frequently. A pep rally—set
with cheerleaders, food and fun—celebrated the start of The
Clara Challenge in the Medical Center’s cafeteria.
Beginning Monday, March 2, and lasting until May 22, teams of
three will weigh in every week to see monitor their progress and
adherence to a lifestyle of more exercise and healthier eating.
Each week, they will also contribute a small amount of money; and
at the end, the team with the highest percentage of weight loss
will win that pot of money.
Ann Lilore, RN, started the challenge as a way to motivate people
to live healthier lives, to boost morale and to establish more
credibility for the staff among patients.
“The healthiness of the staff carries over to the patients,
making an impression on them,” said Lilore. “If the
patients see that the staff is taking care of themselves, I think
the patients will be more apt to listen to what they have to say.”
Over one hundred employees are signed up for The Clara Challenge
and various articles on health and fitness, as well as healthy
recipes, will be available to help them along during the competition.
“At Clara, not only do we want to provide the best care
for our patients, we want our staff to provide the best care for
themselves,” said Mary Ellen Clyne, MSN, RN, CNAA, Chief
Operating Officer and Vice President, Patient Care Services, Clara
Maass Medical Center. “The Clara Challenge is a great way
to motivate our staff to living healthier lives.”
Clara Maass Medical Center, an affiliate
of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System, provides a complete
continuum of care to residents of northern New Jersey, primarily
serving Essex, Bergen and Hudson Counties. Clara Maass
Centers of medical excellence include the Women’s Health Center, Nuclear
Medicine, The Cancer Center at Clara Maass, Diagnostic Cardiac Services including
Cardiac Catheterization, Emergency Angioplasty and Rehabilitation, The Pain
Management Center, The Joint & Spine Institute,
a Vascular Center, Same Day Surgery, The Wound Center
at Clara Maass, The Center for Sleep Disorders, The
Bariatric Center at Clara Maass, Rehabilitation Services,
Maternity Services and Parent Education, as well
as Pediatrics. For a physician referral or more information
about Clara Maass, call 1-888-724-7123 or visit www.barnabashealth.org.
Date: March 2, 2009
Contact: Cathy Toscano
Director,
Public Relations
973.450.2996
ctoscano@barnabashealth.org
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