Allina Healthy Community Awards announced at annual meeting
Annandale School District, Portico Healthnet selected for promoting health education and health care access
MINNEAPOLIS 06/12/2008--
Allina Hospitals & Clinics has selected a school district and nonprofit group as the 2008 winners of its Healthy Community Award which honors organizations that demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to improving community health by creating and sustaining environments that encourage healthy living.
The 2008 winners are Annandale School District for its integration of health and wellness education into its core curriculum and to Portico Healthnet which helps uninsured Minnesotans find affordable health insurance and care.
"One of Allina's ongoing public health initiatives is combating childhood obesity," said Allina president and CEO Dick Pettingill. "Annandale Schools has partnered with our Buffalo Hospital adopting our DAAN Youth Curriculum that fosters a healthy, balanced lifestyle in children and adults by inspiring wise nutrition and activity choices. Their commitment to the health and well-being of their students and staff is an example that can be followed everywhere."
"The mission of Portico Healthnet is simple, yet vital. Portico works to reduce the number of people without coverage for health care services," says Ron James, chair of the Allina board's Community Benefit and Advocacy Committee. "Portico was created and is sustained by east metro hospitals working together to provide regular access to health care for community members with low incomes and no insurance. This successful partnership transcends competition among the nine hospitals and maintains a single focus—to reduce the number of people without coverage for health care services."
Each winner receives a plaque and a $2,500 prize to invest in their organization. This year's Healthy Community Awards were presented Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at the Annual Allina Meeting.
Annandale School District
Annandale School District has made wellness and health a core part of its curriculum across grades K-12. In 2006, the district partnered with Allina's Buffalo Hospital to introduce students in the second, third and fourth grades to the innovative new DAAN Youth Curriculum. DAAN is an innovative initiative created by Buffalo Hospital to inspire wise nutrition and activity choices to prevent chronic disease among people of all ages in a community setting. Through its consistent, integrated approach to health and wellness, the Annandale School District has created a culture of wellness throughout its schools and is helping ensure our next generation is healthy.
Portico Healthnet
Portico Healthnet is a nonprofit organization that helps uninsured Minnesotans access affordable health coverage and care. Since 1995, more than 6,000 uninsured children and adults have enrolled in Portico's safety-net coverage program, and with Portico Healthnet's assistance, another 5,000 have been enrolled in public coverage programs. The organization works in partnership with hospitals throughout the metro area to help families access a continuum of preventive, primary and specialty care to improve community health and reduce dependence on emergency care.
About Allina Hospitals & Clinics
Allina Hospitals & Clinics is a not-for-profit system of hospitals, clinics and other health care services, providing care throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Allina owns and operates 11 hospitals, more than 90 clinics and health care services, including home care, hospice and palliative care, oxygen and medical equipment, pharmacies and emergency medical transportation.
More about Allina and the latest health information can be found online at www.allina.com. Information about Allina's Community Benefit and Involvement programs can also be found online at www.allina.com/community.
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Related Links
Video: Annandale School District's wellness program
Video: Portico Healthnet
Allina in the community
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