Today (April 6) is National Start! Walking Day. Swedish is partnering with the American Heart Association to mobilize walkers from Cherry Hill, First Hill, Ballard, and Met Park (some of our campuses) to participate in National Start! Walking Day. We're coordinating this effort to encourage and motivate Swedish employees to walk one mile at noon.
Why? We talk the talk about promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles - but we're walking the walk, too. National Start! Walking Day is a great motivation to bring together employees who are already active at work and at home, and to get more of us active during the busy work day.
One of our clinics in Cle Elum is leading the way - four staff members there started walking in January during their lunch break. So far, they have logged over 52 miles. Some staff members also say that their cholesterol numbers have dropped - and one person's dog who joins in has lost 10 pounds!
We also identified campus walk leaders to get everyone moving. The Ballard walk leaders are up for the challenge. Many of the employees there walk every day.
Join us at noon to walk a mile. At Ballard, join us by the Tallman Street entrance. At Cherry Hill, meet up by the main lobby valet. At First Hill, head to the A-level Plaze. If you're downtown, join Mayor McGinn with many of the City of Seattle employees. But you don't have to wait for us to get organized - grab a friend or grab your phone and walk on!
UPDATED: National Walking Day for me was a great success. Swedish campus walk leaders reported that the walkers all had a big heart. The sun was out with a light wind; perfect conditions for a walk. Ballard campus had 9 walkers and Met Park had 9 walkers. My team from First Hill had 20 walkers and Dr. Jay Fathi joined us on his way to a meeting. He really does walk the talk. THREE CHEER FOR OUR TEAMS!
