WMH and KMC join Worksite Wellness Challenge

LIHU‘E — An island-wide, six-month Road to Wellness Worksite Challenge is under way, sponsored by Get Fit Kaua‘i in conjunction with the Nutrition and Physical Activity Coalition (NPAC) Worksite Wellness task force.

The Worksite Wellness Challenge is a competition designed to encourage businesses to implement healthy practices in the workplace, to create sustainable wellness policies and environmental improvements that focus on nutritional and activity-based change.

Wilcox Memorial Hospital and Kaua‘i Medical Clinics has joined the competition, led by Robin Lout, cafeteria services manager, and Teri Cortez, human resources.

Rose Murtagh is their coach from the NPAC task force.

Nutrition items currently available in the cafeteria include unsalted almond snack packs, baked-chip choices, fresh salad bar with fat-free dressing choices and a deli sandwich bar with low-fat deli meats and whole-grain bread choices.

Items coming soon include assorted 100-calorie snack packs and pita chip snack packs, Grab-n-Go fresh fruit and vegetable packs, and salad bar items like quinoa and tabbouleh salads.

Lout said nutritional quizzes are posted in the dining area during the challenge period, now through December. Prizes will be awarded to the first- and second-place winners. Nutritional information for hot entrees is also posted.

Vending machines now carry vitamin water rather than snack foods.

The Road to Wellness winner, determined in December, will be the workplace that has made the greatest improvements. The winning business will receive the bronze On the Road to Wellness trophy to display for one year.

To participate, please e-mail Wellness Task Force Chairwoman Murtagh at r.murtagh@sbcglobal.net or call Get Fit liaison Cheryl Ann Farrell at 652-1282.