Seated, left to right: Adekemi Gray, Chris Berner, Latoya Sundack, Jasmine Potts. Standing, left to right: Dominique Brown, Chris Pernell, MD,Manny Leon, Sandra Vasquez, Regina Jackson, Olena Ifante, Jo-Ann Jones Charles, Ivrose Dorcely, Yvonne Hutchinson, Yulia Kogan, Jeremy Boal, MD, Sonali Das.
While we are in the midst of our transformation, it’s important that we take care of ourselves. Last week, I met with a group of employees who are doing just that.
They were participants in the 1199 Mount Sinai Beth Israel Diabetes Prevention Program at Union Square. The program was a partnership between the Union and MSBI to help employees prevent diabetes through lifestyle changes and was facilitated by the 1199 SEIU/League Labor Management Project.
It started in 2015 and had a total of 97 participants over the two years. Participants in the Union Square class met regularly as a group with their coach, Jo-Ann Jones Charles, to support each other in their wellness efforts. They had nearly 35 sessions over twelve months and completed their class in June.
I was truly inspired by these individuals. They have a very special bond with each other and with their coach. Nearly all of them lost weight through lifestyle changes and significantly decreased their chances of developing diabetes. It was the team accountability, confidence-building, environmental supports, and self-care that made the life-changing difference for them. The program had such a positive impact on these individuals that they continue to check-in with, and support each other, each week. I’m so impressed with their persistence.
Self-care is vital not only for our own well being, but also for our patients. We are doing a lot to promote wellness in the workplace. Roughly 1200 employees have joined the new gym since November and we have up to 100 visitors each day. It’s wonderful that groups have come together to encourage each other to improve their health. For example, many of our physical therapists and some others meet in the gym on Tuesdays and Fridays during lunch for a pull-up challenge. They hold each other accountable for pushing their limits and are getting stronger each week.
Some members of the pull-up challenge: Jisoo Kim, PT, DPT; Jeff Durand, PTA; Anthony Gallagher, interpreter; Katie Murphy, PT, DPT; Frank Erkes, PT, DPT.
I urge you to find your own supportive group or to join one of our wellness classes hosted at MSBI most weekdays. Also, this Monday, July 17th, we will be hosting a Summer Wellness Table where you can get information about all of our programs. I hope you will stop by on the second floor of Union Square or the Linsky lobby to find out more. And, I hope you will keep the ideas coming about how we can help you do your best work. We are here to support you.
Have a great weekend.
Jeremy