CARIBOU, Maine — Cary Medical Center has several festivities slated for National Hospital Week during the week of May 8-14, 2016. The week is a time to celebrate hospitals and the women and men who support the health and wellbeing of their communities through their dedication and compassionate care.
A variety of activities are being planned for employees and the community.
Beginning May 9, Cary will join the other three hospitals in The County for the Hospitals Against Hunger Campaign. The event is a two-week food drive ending on May 19. Area residents and hospital staff are urged to bring non-perishable food items to any of the hospital locations.
On Tuesday, May 10, the Vietnam documentary film “In the Shadow of the Blade” will be presented in the Chan Center beginning at 6:30 p.m. Lapel pins will also be provided to Vietnam-era veterans.
Also on Tuesday, May 10th, area media are invited to breakfast at the hospital with Cary CEO, Kris Doody, RN. The breakfast also features a version of the “Jeopardy” game, where members of the media are quizzed on a variety of health topics from national issues to specific questions about Cary Medical Center. A travelling trophy is provided to the media that scores the most points. Flagg pointed out that over the years the hospital has worked closely with multiple media.
“The ability to communicate important health issues and to bring hospital news to the communities we serve is a very important part of our mission,” said Flagg. “During my 35-plus-year career at Cary the media from television to radio, to print have been just great to work with. Our media breakfast is a fun way to thank them for their efforts and to gather with their peers.”
Another highlight of the week will be a Healthy You Group Walk on Thursday, May 12, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Walkers will enjoy healthy snacks, have a chance to win door prizes and walk the trails on the Cary campus. Bethany Zell, Director of Cary’s Healthy You program, said the hospital trails are well kept and a great community resource.
“Thanks to our maintenance department, our walking trails are well groomed throughout the summer and fall,” said Zell who also manages Pink Aroostook, a breast cancer support program. “The trails are beautiful and take walkers through forest and fields with plenty of fresh air. The trails are well marked and we have various distances. We invite the public to utilize the trails at any time for walking — no motorized vehicles are permitted.”
Walkers will also be invited to join the Healthy You Walking Club. Members submit miles every month with prizes awarded to everyone who enters and the highest monthly mile walker. In the event of rain, the group walk will be held at the Caribou Wellness Center.
Area clergy will be honored at a special luncheon on Thursday, May 12, at 12 noon. All area clergy are invited to attend. Flagg said the luncheon has become a tradition of Hospital Week at Cary.
“We are so grateful to area clergy who visit our patients at the hospital frequently bringing that spiritual dimension to care,” said Flagg. “During the luncheon we try and update the clergy on new programs or services at the hospital and also to learn from them how we make their work easier.” Contact Flagg to register for the event at 498-1112.
Other events will include an employee recognition barbecue, employee bowling night, patient appreciation day, employee health screenings, and the employee scavenger hunt. Flagg said that this is the second year local businesses will be invited to participate in the scavenger hunt.
“This was great fun last year,” said Flagg. “We chose scavenger hunt items from a number of businesses that are always so supportive of Cary. Employees would have to visit with the business to collect the items. We asked employees to thank the business for their generous support of the hospital.”
A list of hospital activities is available on the hospital’s website, carymedicalcenter.org. For information contact the community relations office 498-1112.
