Shields Workers Get Healthy

Announces Winners of 2008 Healthy for Life Program.

Shields Health Care Group announces the winners of its 2008 Healthy for Life program.

Healthy for Life is a company-wide wellness program that encourages employees to get healthy and stay healthy by keeping track of how much they exercise.  Each employee received a pedometer at the beginning of the year and was invited to participate in this program, called the 2008 Road to the Super Bowl Challenge, by logging their mileage on a weekly basis over the course of the year.  Prizes and incentives were awarded periodically throughout the year to the person or team with the most mileage.  Last night the company celebrated the enormous successes of its winning members.

The Cape Cod Team, based out of Shields MRI & CT of Cape Cod was led by co- captains, Pamela Doody and Terri Pflika. The team was honored for their dedication and commitment to getting healthy.  The team logged a total of 1500 miles in 2008.

The President of the company, Jack Shields, was delighted by the accomplishments.  “We started this program because so many people were complaining about the cost of their health premiums. Instead of sitting back and just accepting the inevitable premium increases every year, we decided that we should focus on what’s in our control and see what would happen.  Most people counted their steps, some people swam, some people dieted, and some people quit smoking.  This program took on a life of its own and people became really energized about taking control of their health.  We expect to see the benefits of a healthy work force reflected in our health insurance premiums and even in company morale in the years to come.”

In addition to the winning Cape Cod team, Shields honored its Pro Bowl Players and  Most Valuable Player, Christine Murphy, at the event, held at the Thorny Lea Golf Club in Brockton.

Ms. Murphy works in the Finance Department at the company’s support center and is a resident of Rochester, MA.  She was named MVP for her singularly impressive commitment to getting and staying healthy in 2008.  Ms. Murphy organized a Biggest Winners competition in her office, based on the television program, The Biggest Loser, where contestants compete by losing weight, and she encouraged her entire group to stay on track in their efforts to exercise and eat right.

The guest speaker at the event was Mark Kruger, a resident of Dartmouth, MA and a previous contender on the television show, The Biggest Loser.  Mr. Kruger gave a passionate and inspirational presentation on his transformation and about his time on the show.  He encouraged everyone to “set goals for themselves, make good choices and keep at it.”  Mr. Kruger lost 129 lbs. and maintains his healthy lifestyle by sticking with a regular exercise routine.

Shields operates the largest and most technically advanced network of medical imaging, diagnostic, and treatment facilities in New England.