As you can see, this newsletter has a new name. We were overwhelmed with more than 1,700 employees who logged on to vote on the top 10 names. Colleen Iosue, Center for Systems and Training, submitted the name and is the lucky winner of two tickets to a Cavs home game. I also selected a name for our weekly tips of the week—Healthy U, which was among the top three titles voted upon. It was submitted by Michelle Amato, Institutional Relations and Development, who will receive two tickets to a preseason Cavs game. Thanks to everyone who voted!
Discounted Health?
No. But discounted health club memberships are available to Cleveland Clinic employees at multiple sites around Cleveland. Many offer substantial discounts on initiation fees and monthly rates. To find out more, see the Fitness Centers and Home Equipment discounts page on the Employee Wellness site to find the one nearest you. There are participating health clubs in virtually every area of the city.
Healthy vending machines?
Yes. Current vending machine requirements have changed, and AVI, our supplier, is totally participating. Every choice in the vending machine now has to have less than 250 calories, less than 35 percent fat except fat with high monounsaturated fat content such as nuts or seeds, less than 10 percent saturated fat, less than 0.5 g of trans fat, less than 200 mg of sodium, and added sugars must be less than 25 percent of total calories. Vending machines at the regional hospitals and family health centers may not be completely changed as of this writing but will be soon. If you find something that doesn’t meet those requirements, let us know. We will be glad to try to change it.
Crackers
Saltines or graham crackers are readily available on many hospital units for patients and visitors. Based on suggestions to our committee as well as the work Dr. Bridget Duffy conducted with employees, we would like to replace the crackers with 100 -calorie packages of healthy nuts and/or dried fruit. We have been working with an outside company to develop this type of product, since nothing like this is currently available. This update is a reminder that your suggestions are being heard and acted upon. By the way, we received more than 800 different suggestions that our main and specific wellness committees are going through. We will review every single one and keep you updated. Thanks!
One man does make a difference
Although he won’t take credit for it, CEO Toby Cosgrove spoke at a national conference where the CEO of Walt Disney was in attendance. Toby talked about tobacco as a health hazard, and the importance of not portraying cigarettes favorably to young people in movies or videos. The CEO of Disney took the suggestion “to heart” (pun intended), and smoking will no longer be seen as a lifestyle enhancement in Disney films. Whether this will penetrate to the full film industry or not remains to be seen. But it is an example of one person making a difference.
Healthy U Tip - When is a pound more than a pound?
Do your knees ache? Make a promise to lose one pound. Yes, you heard right. Just one pound could make a huge difference. To your knees, losing one pound feels more like losing four pounds if you are overweight or obese. When you carry excess weight, your gait changes to accommodate your size and to help you balance. Often times these gait changes involve placing a disproportionate amount of stress on your already strained knees. That is why losing as little as one pound helps give your knees a much needed break. So, have a piece of fruit instead of a piece of chocolate, and you and your knees will be healthier for it!
Wellness Events
Wellness Grand Rounds
“Creating a Healthier Nation: Steps to Improving Health and Well-Being” Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, 17th Surgeon General of the United States
Friday, Sept. 28
Noon to 1 p.m.
Bunts Auditorium
“Why Good Things Happen to Good People: The Exciting New Research that Proves the Link between Doing Good and Living a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life” Stephen Post, Ph.D. - Professor of Bioethics, Philosophy and Religion School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University
Wednesday, Oct. 3
Noon to 1 p.m.
Education Building NA5-08 (Lerner Research Institute)
Wellness Lottery
Take the Health Risk Assessment (HRA) by Sept. 30, 2007, and you’ll be eligible to win a trip to Chicago! See the Employee Wellness site for details
