BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Mayor Carson Ross and St. Mary’s Medical Center invite the community to join them for a W.O.W. Spring kick-off on April 20, 1 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Medical Center Walking Trail, 201 NW RD Mize Road in Blue Springs. This free event is open to the public. Walkers are encouraged to join this free program that will meet weekly at St. Mary’s every Wednesday from 1-2 p.m.
“Blue Springs believes in promoting the health and well-being of all residents by offering services and amenities that promote an active lifestyle,” said Mayor Carson Ross. “Advancing the Let’s Move initiative is not just the City’s goal but also mine personally. Events like these demonstrate how just working together can promote meaningful lifestyle changes.”
Mayor Ross, Annette Small, CEO of St. Mary’s Medical Center and Deb Ohnoutka, Chief Nursing Officer of St. Mary’s Medical Center and participating staff will be leading the walk to emphasize how easy it is to put on your tennis shoes and get moving over your lunch hour.
“We have a responsibility to care not only to our patients inside our medical center, but also to promote health throughout our community,” said Annette Small, CEO, St. Mary’s Medical Center. “We want St. Mary’s to be a resource for wellness and walking is a great overall exercise that people of all ages and fitness levels can do.”
St. Mary’s Medical Center is a key member in the Let’s Move! Blue Springs initiative and offers their walking trail to the community for use at anytime. The walking trail is a paved, one-third mile loop located on St. Mary’s Medical Center campus. This outdoor space also features a playground and sitting areas for the community to enjoy.
“I believe movement is one of the greatest gifts we can give our bodies,” said Deb Ohnoutka, Chief Nursing Officer, St. Mary’s Medical Center. “It doesn’t have to be fancy, just get out and play. Ride a bike, take a walk, whatever you do, make it fun.”
W.O.W. began in 2009 by the Blue Springs Employees' Biggest Loser Challenge as a way for participants to get together for light exercise over a late lunch hour and discuss their weight loss efforts and successes. The walks have grown into to a weekly community event during the Spring and Summer at the walking trail at St. Mary's Hospital.
The event is sponsored by the St. Mary’s Medical Center, the City of Blue Springs and Let’s Move! Blue Springs. For information about the walks, contact Sheryl Morgan at (816) 655-0495.
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