New wellness services soon available in rural communities
The Summit receives grant from the Federal Health Resources Services Administration
A new hospital cooperation is gearing up to help rural Montanans live healthy lifestyles. This year, The Summit Medical Fitness Center, part of Kalispell Regional Healthcare (KRH), was awarded a prestigious grant from the Federal Health Resources Services Administration. This multi-year grant provides funds to develop and establish a rural based wellness program based on The Summit’s nationally recognized journey to wellness program that fosters healthy lifestyles, reduces cardiovascular risk factors, and improves mental health.
“This new grant will bring our successful Summit-based Journey to Wellness program to in-need rural communities, providing a unique access to health and wellness that has been so rare for many Montanans,” says Greg Vanichkachorn, MD, project director of the grant.
Every rural community is unique. To ensure that this new program uses the best experts on local community health needs, The Summit has partnered with Northern Rockies Medical Center in Cutbank, Montana, and Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains, Montana, to form the Montana Journey to Wellness Consortium (download the Montana Journey to Wellness brochure here). This new, three-organization consortium will develop a lifestyle improvement program that is specifically designed to bring rare wellness opportunities to communities with limited resources. Using an improved transportation platform and the latest in internet technologies, the new consortium will assist in establishing a journey to wellness program in each community that includes:
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Basic health assessments such as:
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Lab testing, such as cholesterol and diabetes testing
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Body composition analysis
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Physical activity and nutrition
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Health/wellness coaching by certified wellness coaches
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Exercise equipment, such as stationery bikes and Nordic walking poles
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Group fitness instruction
Kalispell Regional Healthcare (KRH) is a 340-bed health care system located in Kalispell, Montana. KRH serves more than 170,000 people within a geographical region of 20,000 square miles and employs nearly 4,000 team members.
Download the Montana Journey to Wellness brochure here.
“This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number D04RH31800 of the Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program, at an award amount of $600,000 over the three-year project period. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.”
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Experience the Summit difference.
The Summit Medical Fitness Center is more than just a health club. We are a family-friendly fitness and wellness facility for members of all ages and abilities. Our 114,000 square foot facility in Kalispell, Montana offers high-qualtiy programs, equipment and staff to help you realize your fitness and wellness goals.
We offer a wide range of specialty programs from kids to seniors including adult fitness programs, performance programs for athletes, senior programs, weight management and special populations programs.
