Toni Hopper
DUNCAN — Three Duncan businesses were recognized for healthy business practices, and received the “Oklahoma Certified Healthy Business Award of Excellence” in February for efforts in 2009.
The award is provided to facilities that work to improve health and wellness among the individuals who either work at or use the facility.
Duncan Regional Hospital, Mark Twain Elementary School and Personal Best (Dawn Hendriex) received the Oklahoma State Department of Health award.
DRH’s Wellness Center is the focal point of healthy lifestyles for that establishment.
Casey McMahan, administration, for the Wellness Center, said that the hospital offers many opportunities for its staff to improve their health.
“We are honored to be recognized by the Oklahoma Turning Point Council as an Oklahoma Certified Health Business. This award demonstrates our continued efforts to help improve the health and wellness of our team members and our community,” McMahan said.
Stephanie Gates, director of public relations and marketing, said the business strives to create the healthiest workplace possible.
“Being in the healthcare industry, we are highly aware of how a healthy lifestyle can make a positive impact for each individual person as well as for the hospital,” Gates said.
Monica Smith, physical education teacher at Mark Twain, said this is the third year for the award and she noted that each year the school has advanced its practices.
“It was a wonderful honor. I did not realize the extent, the programs and businesses involved in this. I couldn’t believe we were in such good company,” she said. Smith said that criteria included the encouragement of physical activity among students and staff and having a smoke free facility.
“She is 100 percent committed to health education and excellence,” said Duncan Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Glenda Cobb. “She is a remarkable leader and her zeal is infectious, wouldn’t even think of dampening down her enthusiasm, make a difference for her students and staff.”
Smith said that only four schools in the state received the award. Three of those were public schools and was Oklahoma State University. She said it was a great honor to be in the same group as OSU.
To promote fitness among the MT staff, Smith said they get together at different times to do various activities and that once a year, they strive for a weight loss goal. They have a fitness and fat analysis done.
Mike Milton, administrator of Stephens County Health Department, said the awards go to any entity that has paid staff and takes an initiative to provide on-site healthy environments.
“The Stephens County Health Department would like to congratulate all of the award winners. We hope other companies and educational facilities will be encouraged to participate in this program and compete for awards next year,” said Milton.
“By working together, we can all have a positive impact on helping to improve the health of Oklahomans at home, in the community and on the job,” he said.
Initiated in 2003, the state program has issued 688 certificates to businesses in three categories — Certificates of Excellence, Certificates of Merit and Certificate Awards.
Milton noted that a business must offer health screenings to its employees, opportunities for physical exercise activities and even sharing wellness events in the community.
For Hendreix, who has been in business 11 years, this is the third such award in four years. She said someone had submitted her name the first time, and now she is contacted yearly to see if she wants to apply.
“I’m helping people to be healthy. The focus at Personal Best is not a recreation facility, it’s a re-creation. The people who come here are changing their own lives. Some of our folks here have lost over a 100 pounds in the past year,” she said.
The awards indicate that Hendreix’ facility is on the right track, as is Mark Twain School and DRH.
— Toni Hopper is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. She can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 132 or by e-mail at: toni.hopper@duncanbanner.com.
