Utica Park Clinic – Sand Springs & Sand Springs Public Schools Partner For “Sandites Walk For Health” Program
Sand Springs, Okla. – Utica Park Clinic – Sand Springs, in partnership with Sand Springs Public Schools (SSPS), kicked off the “Sandites Walk For Health” program on February 1, 2010. The program will continue until May 2, 2010.
The “Sandites Walk For Health” program is a step-counting program utilizing pedometers. Utica Park Clinic – Sand Springs, a service of Hillcrest HealthCare System, outlined and created the walking program for the school system and is providing the pedometers and prizes.
To participate in the program, SSPS employees wear their pedometer every day and record the number of steps walked each day. Monthly incentive prizes are offered: participants who have averaged at least 10,000 steps (approximately five miles) per day will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift card. An average of 10,000 steps a day is equivalent to the amount of recommended daily exercise. As of today, records show that nearly 27,655 miles have been walked since February 1st by more than 400 SSPS employees who are participating in the walking program. Additionally, in May, a cumulative grand prize will be given to the Sand Springs Public Schools facility that has averaged the most miles per employee. The grand prize will be a $150 gift card that can be used towards school supplies. Designated team captains at each facility help to track recorded miles.
“Nearly 60% of American adults don’t get the recommended amount of daily physical activity and 25% are not active at all,” said Kelly Shuler, DO, a Family Medicine Physician with Utica Park Clinic – Sand Springs. “It is encouraging to know that the Sand Springs Public School system is participating in this program – not only for the adults, but as a way to set a good leadership example for the children they teach every day.”
“The ‘Sandites Walk For Health’ program was initiated as an incentive to SSPS employees to live a healthier lifestyle by incorporating more exercise into their daily work schedules through a fun, low-intensity, friendly walking competition,” said Lloyd Snow, Superintendent of Sand Springs Public Schools. “I am confident that this program will help us all enjoy the health benefits of regular exercise not only for physical wellness, but for mental and emotional wellness too.”
Walking is a free, easy, low-impact way of improving health by lowering risk of heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis; lowering cholesterol; helping with weight management; improving energy levels and lowering stress.
Utica Park Clinic, a service of Hillcrest HealthCare System, is one of the largest physician groups in Oklahoma, with physicians who practice in a wide range of areas and specialties, in many communities throughout Oklahoma.