Wintergreen Arts Center. Color Presque Isle, taking
place on August 30, combines fun, fitness and the
arts. It begins and ends at Riverside Park. Last year’s
event was among the largest fun run/walks in the
region, drawing over 400 participants.
“We are supportive of efforts to help people of
all ages get active. It is great to see growing interest from individuals throughout the region, and
from other parts of Maine, New Brunswick, and
Quebec, registering to take part in these events. It is
clear, both from the larger numbers of participants
and expanded roster of events, that we are helping
our community get fit by providing activities that
promote a healthy lifestyle for the young to the
young at heart,” TAMC President and CEO Sylvia
Getman said. “The participants in these activities
benefit from the events, but also from the work that
goes into preparing for them. Both the youth and
adult participants are role models for others who are
looking to live a healthier lifestyle.”
In addition to the summer fit and fun series,
TAMC is collaborating with Pen Air to hold a 5K
race as part of their second annual Take Flight!
event at the Northern Maine Regional Airport on
October 4. TAMC is also partnering with CompetitorME to hold a Color Me Pink 5K Run/Walk
on October 11 to raise awareness for breast cancer
and funds for Aroostook Cancer Care.
TAMC supports healthy, fun activities throughout the year, not just the summer and fall. For the
past three years, the medical center has partnered
with local ski organizations to promote an active,
healthy lifestyle in County youth while instilling interest in a life-long activity that is affordable, social
and fun.
The Youth Ski program has taken place at
Nordic Heritage Center with cross country (Nordic)
skiing for three years, and this past winter Quoggy
Jo Ski Center joined the program, adding opportunities in downhill (Alpine) skiing and snowboarding.
“It is important that we, as a healthcare organization, get behind programs like this. Youth obesity is a serious problem in our communities, and
anything we can do to provide children with an opportunity to engage in healthy activities they enjoy
will make a difference,” said Dr. Renee Fournier, a
TAMC pediatrician. “TAMC’s Aroostook Pediatrics
office, through our work with Let’s Go Aroostook,
Healthy Aroostook and other community partners,
is tackling this problem head on, and we’re happy to
support programs that promote exercise, particularly
in the winter when it can be more difficult to get
outside.”
In promoting wellness and healthy lifestyles,
TAMC has also embraced the effort with its more
than 1,000 employees. A Total Health Team meets
monthly to collaborate on health screenings for
staff and offer activities to promote wellness. From
TAMC’s Couch to 5K program to light-hearted activities like the Red Dress Race, these have been very
successful. Healthier eating options in the cafeteria,
support of programs such as TOPS and Weight
Watchers on-site, discounts for gym memberships
and other incentives also encourage employees to
adopt better habits.
“We can’t just talk the talk, we need to walk the
walk,” said Poitras.
“...anything
we can do
to provide
children with
an opportunity to engage
in healthy
activities they
enjoy will
make a
difference.”
Dr. Renee Fournier
TAMC Pediatrician
County youth had
the chance to ski
for free on Saturdays as part of the
Youth Ski Program
sponsored by
TAMC.