Grand View Health System Medical Records Team Walks for Wellness

Pictured (from left to right) are the Grand View Health System Medical Records Department team members: Connie Wallenius, MaryBeth Merritt, Sharon Korpela, Jan Cecil, Cindy Erickson, Sue Kaffine, and Ginger Kivisto. Not pictured: Vanessa Partanen and Cecila Jakkola.

IRONWOOD, MI - Thursday, July 22, 2010 - What began as way to celebrate National Transcription Week (May 18-24), has continued as an ongoing wellness program. The Grand View Health System Medical Records Department decided to support team member MaryBeth Merritt in an exercise program as she prepared for her daugther’s wedding in Chicago. Medical Records team members, Sue Kaffine and Ginger Kivisto came up with the idea of the department tracking their walking mileage for a few weeks to help Mary Beth walk the equivelant distance to Chicago. Medical Records Manager, Connie Wallenius prasied her staff’s dedication to working together as a team to reach their goal, while having fun outside of the work setting.

The distance to the wedding location in Chicago is 377.52 miles from Grand View Hospital in Ironwood. In the first week of tracking their mileage, the team had accumulated 130.4 miles, leaving 247.12 miles to reach Chicago by the September 1, 2010 wedding. Based on their quick progress, the group was able to reach their goal distance of 377.52 miles within four weeks. The group decided to continue their wellness walking program and are now tracking their mileage to reach New Orleans. As of July 21, 2010 the walking team had traveled 669.82 miles out of their total distance goal of 1332.52 miles. Once they reach New Orleans, the group will have a virtual banana daiquiri at Pete Fountain’s in the French Quarter to celebrate completion of their trek.

Who knows where their next trip will take them…maybe the Grand Canyon. The Grand View Health System Medical Records Department has found a way to make fitness fun, while working towards a common goal as a team. This walking for wellness program is sure to continue in the future.