Pacific Surgical Institute Recognized as ‘Community Champion’
Cowlitz on the Move (COTM) recognized Pacific Surgical Institute (PSI) and Bob’s Merchandise as “Community Champions” for their support of Girls on the Run of Southwest Washington (GOTR). The awards were presented on April 22nd at the Expo Center in Longview. Greg Vigdor, President of the Washington Health Foundation, was the guest speaker.
Dr. Turner and Michele Peterson accepted the award for PSI
Cowlitz on the Move focuses on promoting healthy lifestyles for area residents. The group coordinates activities that include hiking, biking, skateboarding, and bird watching. COTM also distributes information about nutrition and tobacco use.
“We are pleased to honor Pacific Surgical Institute as a 2009 Healthy Lifestyles Champion for their support of our mission: to promote healthy lifestyles in Cowlitz County,” said Gayle Reid, staff member at COTM.
Reid said that when Girls on the Run got underway locally in 2005, income levels prevented many of them from purchasing quality running shoes. In some cases, this resulted in frustration, discomfort and injury.
“In 2007, Pacific Surgical Institute agreed to underwrite the cost of the shoes,” Reid said. ”Since that time, 341 pairs of quality running shoes have been purchased for the girls. And upon conclusion of the program and a 5K running event, each participant earns the opportunity to take their shoes home. We are very thankful for PSI’s support and their generous assistance.”
The national chapter of Girls on the Run was started by Molly Barker in 1996 in an effort to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, and physical development among adolescent girls. GOTR participants meet with coaches twice a week for twelve weeks, not only to train for a culminating 5K run but also to talk about age-appropriate issues that range from nutrition and alcohol use to teamwork and peer pressure.
Founded by JoLee Ford, the local chapter of Girls on the Run (GOTR) has been active since 2005. This year, 185 girls from nine elementary and middle schools are participating in GOTR’s spring program, which will culminate with at 5K run on May 16th.
Michele Peterson, Nurse Manager at PSI’s surgery center and a member of GOTR’s advisory board, said, “It feels great to work for an employer that is so committed to the community. It makes me proud to be a PSI employee.”
Information about Girls on the Run is available at http://www.gotrswwashington.org/.
Since 2007, PSI has purchased shoes for 341 local girls.
