Healthplex Happenings 1st Quarter 2024

HPA Delivers Quality Clinical Integration

Singing River Health System (SRHS) broke ground for its new vision of health care in the Gulf area of Mississippi in the Spring of 2010. Located next to Singing River Hospital, the 24,000 sq. ft. medically based fitness and wellness center is positioned strategically close to Cardiac Rehab and Physical Therapy within the Singing River Medical Park, to strengthen clinical integration and improve the continuum of care. A strategic goal of the Health System was to move patients efficiently from clinical services to supervised exercise programs. Another factor in the decision to build the medical office/wellness center building was to create a hub for community education and wellness.

Partnering with hospitals, health systems, and universities across the country, Healthplex Associates works to create and manage clinically integrated fitness facilities. Healthplex Associates has been a proud partner of SRHS from the beginning planning phases in 2010.

Healthplex Associates takes pride in working with our partners to help achieve their goals. A high priority goal for SRHS is the emphasis on clinical patient population converting to membership at the wellness center.

Healthplex Associates worked with SRHS to establish a specialist position (Clinical Integration Coordinator) to facilitate the relationship with clinical services and to serve as a liaison to create an exercise program for the patient. To achieve Clinical Integration, for patients, the path to fitness and wellness programs must be easy and convenient for both the referring provider and the patient. Whether it’s a primary care physician, physical therapy or the cancer center, every element of the continuum must work in concert to provide an optimal patient pathway. At SRHS, an innovative part of the solution was to set up a referral mechanism within the Health System’s EMR (Electronic Medical Records). Coupled with both an internal communication campaign to educate physicians and other health professionals about the ease of the process and benefit to their patients, and a respected Clinical Integration Coordinator. The program has led the way to a more effective patient experience, exceeding expectation of conversion of patient population to wellness center’s programs and memberships!

Don Doyle President / CEO

HPA’s Podcast

Be sure to check out the latest episode, Successful Youth Programming Doesn’t Happen By Accident, released in March 2024.

Healthplex Associates released its first podcast in October 2022. The name Everything Medical Wellness Podcast aptly describes the goal of what HPA wants to share: everything medical wellness! Just some of the topics covered in the last 17 podcasts are:

Member satisfaction

Membership sales & engagement

Engaging members & customer service

Community mission driven programming

Patient referral systems

Event planning

Indianapolis, Indiana

Learning Moving &

Class Pass

Throughout our recent initiative to boost motivation among our members for their 2024 goals, we introduced the Class Pass program. This involved a punch card system where participants earned entries to win exciting prizes based on their attendance at aquatics or group fitness classes. By incorporating this fun & rewarding system, we aimed to keep our members engaged & enthusiastic about their fitness journey while offering them tangible incentives to stay committed to their goals. The Class Pass program successfully created a lively & encouraging atmosphere for our community.

Walk it Out Wednesdays:

Walk-it-Out Wednesdays was an exciting initiative led by our Fitness Specialists Tori, Hannah, and Jeremiah. Participants looked forward to 20-minute walks on the track followed by engaging open discussions & enjoying healthy snacks. This weekly event offered a fantastic opportunity for members to get active & receive expert guidance but also to socialize and connect with fellow members.

DEKA

DEKA Strong and DEKA Mile Events at the Indianapolis Healthplex were a resounding success! Members of the Healthplex community not only achieved their personal fitness goals but also forged new connections with participants from various parts of the Midwest. This event wouldn't have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our fantastic volunteers and the leadership of DEKA Lead, Morgan Klingerman. Their efforts truly made the event memorable and inspiring for everyone involved.

The camaraderie and spirit of competition at our facility showcased the power of community and teamwork in achieving individual excellence. It's moments like these that remind us of the incredible impact of coming together to support one another in pursuing our fitness aspirations.

I H P M A S T E R

S W I M M E R S

A Q U A T H O N

Fighting cancer, one lap at a time.

The Master Swimmers and their supportive team members demonstrated unwavering dedication and strength at our 14th Annual Aquathon on February 18, 2024. They swam multiple laps to show their support in the fight against cancer, as well as various swim distances, including 10k, 7.5k, 5k, 2.5k, and one-mile swims. Accompanied by fellow Healthplex members swimming alongside them, their combined efforts led to an impressive fundraising total of $2,600 for the American Cancer Society. A significant contribution of $1,000 from Runners Forum further boosted this noble cause by matching donations.

Thomaston, Georgia

Jordan Whittaker, ACE Certified Personal Trainer, is a Thomaston, GA native where he is connected in the community and understands its health challenges. His career goal is to

be involved in the health and wellness industry by assisting his clients in achieving a better, healthier lifestyle and exercise regimen. Jordan graduated with a Health and Wellness degree from The University of West Georgia in Carrollton, GA. His hobbies include any outdoor activities, sports, reading, and spending times with friends and family. In addition to being a personal trainer, Jordan is also a Group Exercise Instructor where he teaches a few classes a week. Jordan is now accepting new training clients and is eager to assist potential clients in their fitness journey.

Member Spotlight: Craig Larsen

Craig’s journey started in 2009 when he moved in with his sister. He began by walking and swimming for 30 min, three times a day. Craig changed his diet to meat, vegetables (mostly fresh), and fruit. Once meeting this goal, lunch became a small portion of leftovers or a wrap. He continues his journey by still swimming every morning and doing chores around the farm where he lives in Thomaston, GA. Craig lost most of his weight over a 2-year period. He is so proud of his weight loss and does what he needs to do to stay in shape. When he started his journey, he could barely walk, was on asthma meds, and weighed 333 pounds at 5 foot tall. He is now off all meds, is 125 pounds, and feels much better. Craig loves that Thomaston has an indoor swimming pool at The Wellness Center so he can swim year-round.

Laissez les bon temps rouler

(Let the good times roll)!

Exercise is good for our health, but it can be hard to get motivated. This is not the case with Group Exercise instructor, Jenny Huelsbeck Hicks! On Monday, February 12th, Jenny led her Cycling and Zumba group in a Mardi Gras themed class. Members dressed the part, wearing purple, green, and/or gold, fun masks, and of course, beads!

Jenny proved, once again, that working out does not have to be a boring chore, but instead, can be fun and exciting!

Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania

The Center for Fitness and Health (Belle Vernon, PA) has recently added to their group exercise class schedule. Max Potential is an athletic based yoga class designed to help improve balance, coordination, & flexibility. Taught by

local area teacher & certified yoga instructor, Christin Maatta, Max Potential is geared toward high school & college athletes with the intent of injury prevention & increasing neuroplasticity.

During the first class, 12 high school athletes from varied sports participated. Christin said “We, as adults, deal with many different stresses every single day of our lives. Our youth deal with some of these same stresses if not more. This class helps these students relieve those daily stresses & in the process become better athletes.”

Celebrating 90 Years of Caring for the Community

On March 14, 2024, Montage Wellness Center participated in the Annual Meeting hosted by the Montage Health organization. This year was a milestone that celebrated 90 years of service to the community of the Monterey Peninsula. The annual conference also included an evening community town hall in which community stakeholders participated in a question-and-answer format hosted by the hospital leadership team and board of trustees. The Montage Wellness Center, introduced in 2011, was included as one of the featured medical entities within the history of the organization.

There were well over 500 attendees including the town hall and annual meeting. Each entity in the organization also hosted a table/booth that included various interactive activities. A keynote presentation included the topic of the future of medical innovation and artificial intelligence in medicine. Montage Health CEO Dr. Steven Packer announced a $5 million contribution to the Community Foundation for Monterey County to create a new Montage Health Fund for Teachers. The fund will provide financial support to all of Monterey County’s public and private school teachers to reduce their healthcare insurance premiums.

“Community Hospital is the core of our organization, and it has been here for 90 years. We added the brand of Montage to really describe that collection of services and I’m proud of the work

Steven P

Professional Soccer Collaboration

Montage Health is the title uniform sponsor for the local professional soccer team Monterey Bay Football Club. To promote this collaboration members and staff of Montage Wellness Center (Marina & Salinas, CA) participated in a promotional video shoot at our center and the soccer stadium. The participants had fun with this professional video filming experience and several videos have been produced. These videos appear within the organization and are also used for commercial television broadcasts and appear on the jumbo screen at the soccer games.

Click HERE to see the commercial.

El Dorado, Arkansas

Meet Member Rexayn Tribble!

I have been a member of HealthWorks on and off for 15 years. Most recently joined again in August 2023. I am getting older and want to be as active as I can… My grandbaby motivates me! My favorite time of the day to work out is early morning. If I get to work, I rarely get away. By the end of the day I am just done and don't want to work out. I start my day twice a week with my personal trainer, Lacey Nation. I have had MANY jointsurgeries and have struggled after each surgery to get back on track. I would begin working out and the pain would scare me so I would quit.Having Lacey by my side and telling me when to push through the pain and when to modify the exercise has made all the difference in this journey! I have set goals, some of which I have met, and have set a new goal. Some of the goals I am still reaching for.

Odessa, Texas

CPR & AED Training

The staff of Mission Fitness (Texas) recently completed the CPR and AED Certification/Recertification process thus ensuring that they continue to meet one of the most important requirements for employment with the fitness facility. Mission Fitness, as well as all Healthplex Associates managed facilities, places extreme importance on proper training and education should an event occur where CPR and/or AED skills are needed.

As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” John Douthitt, Mission Fitness GM states, “We understand that during any cardiac event, time is critical. While we hope we never have to use these skills, we would rather be prepared and not need them than to need them and not be prepared.”

Fueling Your Workout

With all the information available today it is hard to know what is credible and what is a myth. Jenna Huffman, Clinical Coordinator, led a class “Fueling Your Workout” that allowed members to learn how to use macro and micro nutrients to fuel their body and workouts. The members discovered credible sources for supplements, how to time their nutrients for optimum performance as well as

fueling strategies for strength and endurance workouts. “Too many programs take a one size fits all approach, where this program allows members to personalize their eating plan to optimize not only their daily health, but also their workouts”, stated Jenna. This seminar provided sample dishes, a guide to follow regarding food types and options and proper portion control.

Meridian, Mississippi

Anderson Health and Fitness is now Baptist Healthplex – Anderson. This comes after Anderson Regional Health System merged with Baptist Health Systems, the largest health system in Mississippi.

“We are part of the largest health system in the state of Mississippi and we will be able to gain resources that we weren’t able to do as a small independent health system. This scale, that being in a large health system brings being able to continue to provide healthcare in this community also advances healthcare in the community, which has been the mission of Anderson for many, many, many years, ” said John Anderson, the President, and CEO at Anderson Regional Health System. Baptist operates 12 hospitals throughout the Magnolia State and several others in Tennessee and Arkansas. (Credit: WTOK)

Anderson Health and Fitness Center has always been a special place for members of the Meridian community and surrounding areas. When someone says “the fitness center” it’s understood where you are talking about. It is an honor for me to be a part of this transition. My staff and I are excited for the possibilities that come with this merger and can’t wait to see what the future holds for Baptist Healthplex – Anderson.

Morgan Craven, General Manager

NEW Clinical Integration Coordinator

Niley Craven is the Clinical Integration Coordinator at Baptist Healthplex – Anderson in Meridian, MS. Recently, she became a certified Inclusive Fitness Specialist through ACSM. Below, Niley shares why she felt lead to receive this certification and what she thought of the process.

“The ACSM/NCHPAD Inclusive Fitness Specialist Certification equips fitness professionals to better understand how to work with special populations such as individuals with physical and/or cognitive disabilities. The certification course was self-paced and provided educational videos covering topics such as an overview of the American Disabilities Act, exercise guidelines and professional standards for special populations, and a review of exercise behavior change theories and anatomy and physiology terms.

My personal desire to obtain this certification comes from having a 3-year-old cousin with Down syndrome. I wholeheartedly believe that his diagnosis should not limit him in any way. I was inspired when I read a news article about an individual with Down syndrome who completed an Ironman triathlon. His motto during training was to be “1% better every day”. After reading that story, it made me want to do my part to help special populations around me to reach whatever fitness goals they desired. Each week, Niley leads a class where special populations and their caregivers can participate in a group fitness class in a quiet area with the appropriate supervision and assistance.

The Baptist Healthplex participated in The CrossFit Open, a three-week competition open to the public, which took place from February 29 through March 18. The Open is a competition where athletes have until Monday to complete a workout with an official judge present They then submit their scores online to see how they rank worldwide. While the ranking is a fun feature, most athletes use the Open to compete against themselves and track their progress from year to year This year, nine athletes participated, six for the very first time. The majority of Open athletes belonged to the age range of 34-55 years old. For someone who grew up playing sports, and is no longer a young whippersnapper, the Open was a great opportunity to get back into a competitive environment. The week was full of camaraderie and cheering on, even from members who hadn't signed up to compete One member, who was recovering from surgery, took the Judges Course so she could participate in some way even though she couldn't do the workouts. There were precompetition jitters and post-competition tears (and almost post-workout vomit). The athletes had a chance to push themselves and see how a year of training had paid off. It was a fun three weeks!

ORNELLA MACCHIAVELLO

MRMC Wellness Center welcomes Ornella Macchiavello as new personal trainer. Ornella has 5 years professional experience working as a personal trainer and has been training her friends and acquaintances for many years before that. She credits most of her knowledge to the 5 years she spent as her personal trainer’s client. She is also an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach of 3 years, certified through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition of New York. Her philosophy is “We are what we eat and we eat what we feel.”

Despite naturally possessing the personality for fitness instruction, Ornella did not imagine herself making a living in the fitness industry. As part of her family business, she has been in the event planning industry for 11 years with clients like L’Oreal, BMW, and Mercedes.

Ornella is still new to Bay City, Texas and moved here with her fiancé, son, dog and cat. She says she loves the local beach, dancing, singing in the shower, and eating ice cream almost every day.

The Healthplex Fitness Center in Bronx, NY would like to spotlight one of the earliest members, Napoleon De La Cruz. Napoleon embodies the essence of a lifelong fitness enthusiast and the Healthplex Fitness Center is proud to be able to support his dedication. At 52 years old, Napoleon's daily physical practice easily rivals a parkour athlete half his age. It is no surprise that since becoming a member Napoleon has been a consistent presence at the gym, adhering to a routine that could practically set the clock – checking in at 11:30 am and departing by 12:15 pm, at least five days a week.

Napoleon describes his time here as "sandbox fun-time.”

While Napoleon is no stranger to lifting heavy weights, his focus has shifted towards what he terms "strength-equilibrium." He aims to enhance his overall strength and balance, steering clear of past injuries while always seeking new challenges to conquer. In addition to strength training, Napoleon dedicates time to improving his anaerobic and cardiovascular capacities through various timed drills using Concept Rowers, Treadmills, and Step Mills. For Napoleon, 45 minutes a day spent at the center isn't just about physical fitness; it's about cultivating happiness, vitality, and a sense of purpose, keeping him youthful and ready for life's adventures.

Waynesburg, Pennsylvania

Waynesburg, PA has a new season of EQT Cheer, along with a free clinic. This helps EQT Rec Center get future cheerleaders in the door and they are able to experience the great coaching staff and routines! The cheer clinic helps recruitment of potential teammates from around the area for the new season of EQT Iconics.

We are excited to start a new season of cheer and look forward to our new head coach Tera Harvey joining us!

Pascagoula, Mississippi

Singing River Healthplex Teaches the Importance of Grip Strength

It is imperative to note that a weak grip has been scientifically correlated with various health issues, including poor cognitive function, osteoporosis, obesity, fall risk, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, and diabetes. Understanding the impact of grip strength on these conditions is crucial for promoting overall health and well-being among individuals. As part of this educational session, Healthplex trainer Taylor Stokes provided a grip strength screening using a dynamometer. This hands-on approach allowed employees to ascertain their current grip strength levels and gain awareness about the importance of maintaining optimal grip strength for their overall health. By equipping employees with knowledge and tools to enhance their grip strength, we aim to empower them to take proactive steps towards better health outcomes.

Regan Ringler is the new Membership Services Coordinator

Regan brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Singing River team, and they are thrilled to have her on board. Regan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Graphic Design from Southern Mississippi University, as well as a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee. It is evident that she is not only academically accomplished but also possesses a diverse skill set that will undoubtedly benefit our organization. Furthermore, Regan has recently completed her title as Miss Tennessee USA 2023, showcasing her dedication, determination, and commitment to excellence. We are confident that her past achievements and experiences will serve as valuable assets in her role at Singing River Healthplex.

Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Day

Multidisciplinary Meeting for the Continuum of Care

The Singing River Healthplex participated in a recent multidisciplinary meeting with the Bariatric

Department of Singing River Weight Loss. The primary objective of the annual accreditation meeting was to acknowledge the program's qualifications in performing surgeries within a comprehensive pre and post-operative framework. Over the years, The Singing River Healthplex has been staunch in its support of the program, providing valuable assistance through pre and post-operative membership packages. Additionally, they have curated educational presentations on various topics such as exercise motivation, home exercises, and brief, time-efficient workouts tailored for individuals with hectic schedules. The Singing River Healthplex looks forward to the continued success and growth of the partnership in the future.

Valencia, California

Strengthen Your Balance and Independence with Aerobic Balance at Henry Mayo Fitness & Health, located in Valencia, CA!

Calling all clinical members and golden agers! Our Aerobic Balance class is your key to improving balance and preventing falls. Led by our Certified and degreed Lifestyle Specialist, this program is tailored to enhance stability and independence through a combination of balance training and full-body aerobics. Don't miss out on this opportunity to prioritize your well-being and gain greater confidence in your movements. Let’s work together to strengthen your balance and embrace a life of vitality!

HPA Services