Hutchinson Regional Medical Center (HRMC) was named “Hospital Health Champion” at the first annual Kansas State of Wellness Symposium that was held June 30, over in Newton.
The award lauded the hospital for their efforts in implementing healthy food policy changes in the hospital’s cafeteria and vending machines to ensure employees and visitors are offered healthy dining options.
Work Well Kansas, Kansas Hospital Association, the Kansas Alliance of Wellness, along with the American Heart Association sponsored the event which provided a venue for healthcare facilities to exchange ideas on their ongoing efforts to improve health and wellness throughout the state.
Hutchinson Regional was the first healthcare facility in Kansas to successfully implement new policies designed to provide healthier food options and beverages throughout a healthcare facility.
Brooke Bohr, Clinical Dietitian at HRMC, was a panelist at the day long symposium and explained the success of the program that was established in April 2014.
Bohr said HRMC increased availability of fresh fruits and vegetables reduced the size of juices while eliminating energy drinks and fried foods, and added nutrition labels for daily meals in the hospital cafeteria.
“The dietary options are producing favorable results to not only our employees, but the thousands of patients and family members that visit the hospital every year,” Bohr said.
In her presentation, Bohr urged her contemporaries from across Kansas to lead by example in eliminating unhealthy dining options in health care settings.
Ken Johnson, Interim President and CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, said the healthy food policy that was instituted 15 months ago, has already produced favorable results that exceed the hospital’s expectations.
“Our visionary staff drew a blueprint for healthy dining at HRMC that stands as a model for healthcare facilities in Kansas and beyond,” Johnson said. “It is a privilege to be honored by these prestigious organizations.”