To the Editor:

Hope HealthCare Services is one of only three hospice organizations in the entire country to be recognized by the American Heart Association’s Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program for going above and beyond when it comes to employee health.

In the Heart Association’s effort to promote physical activity and health in the workplace, the Start! Fit-Friendly program recognizes progressive leadership and concern for the health of each staff member. Hope has been recognized for meeting the Heart Association’s criteria for employee fitness.

“The health and well-being of our staff is vitally important to us at Hope. We are as committed to our staff as we are to the people in our care. We want the best for everyone,” according to Hope President and CEO Samira K. Beckwith. “The best of healthcare can only be provided by a healthy staff. We are encouraging other hospices around the country to set this goal as well.”

Adult Americans spend most of their waking hours at work. For many, those hours are spent sitting at a desk. This makes them vulnerable to health risks associated with inactive lifestyles. Studies suggest that by starting a worksite physical activity program and promoting a culture of activity, an organization can:

Increase productivity

Reduce absenteeism

Lower turnover

Reduce healthcare costs

Enable employees to live longer, healthier lives.

Other organizations and businesses in Southwest Florida being recognized as Fit-Friendly are: Lee Memorial Health System; Physicians Regional HealthCare System; Florida Heart Associates; Lee County School District; and Chico’s.

These organizations will join local residents taking part in the Lee Start! Heart Walk on December 12 in celebrating their wellness and fundraising efforts. Organizations and individuals interested in participating in the Heart Walk or Fit-Friendly program can contact the American Heart Association at (239) 498-9288, or www.leeheartwalk.org.

For more information, visit www.hopehcs.org.

John Strickling

Hope Hospice

Fort Myers