Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital has donated $12,000 to the DeKalb Prevention Coalition / Healthy DeKalb Program to fund a ‘DeKalb Community Health Adventure’ for 2017. Healthy DeKalb is a part of Healthier Tennessee from the Governor’s Foundation. The Foundation’s Healthier Tennessee initiative strives to increase the number of Tennesseans who are physically active for at least 30 minutes five times a week, promote a healthy diet, and reduce the number of people who use tobacco. The Foundation is funded through a combination of public and private-sector sources and is guided by a board of directors. A staff of eight professionals has been assembled to direct the Foundation and implement the Healthier Tennessee initiative. Healthy DeKalb is comprised of a group of concerned citizens dedicated to promote health and improved wellness for their community. Saint Thomas Health is a part of Ascension, the nation’s largest Catholic and non-profit health system.
“This contribution is in direct line with the mission of Saint Thomas Health, which is to provide spiritually centered, holistic care that sustains and improves the health of the communities we serve,” said Andy Wachtel, CEO, Saint Thomas DeKalb, Stones River, and Highlands hospitals. “Helping to promote a healthy community is a key part of our overall commitment to health and healing.”
“The DeKalb Community Health Adventure kicked off on Healthier Tennessee Week – March 27th through 31st- by offering free art, exercise and wellness classes including: gentle yoga, power yoga, senior chair volleyball, walking club, adult art classes, and Tai Chi Tuesdays beginning March 28th,” said one Coalition member, “This is something that has never been available to our community before. It is our hope that these free classes will allow anyone to try healthy opportunities to build good habits and a renewed care of their personal health for years to come. Upcoming summer activities will include swimming classes, water aerobics, personal trainer sessions, personal health coach sessions, and nutrition classes. All classes will be available on a first come/first serve basis, so we want everyone to sign-up early.”
For more information, or to sign up for available classes free of charge for adults and children, Call DeKalb Prevention Coalition at 615-580-9290 or Justin Potter Library at 615-597-4359.
Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital is a 71-bed full-service hospital located in Smithville, TN and serving the people of Middle Tennessee. Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital provides a comprehensive range of medical services and high quality care. We are a forward thinking, innovative hospital where trust, teamwork and technology come together to make a positive difference in the health of our community and region.
