A message of hope, love and opportunity was at the center of Franciscan Health and ArcelorMittal's Inspiring Women event, Just Dance…For Your Health at Purdue University Northwest’s Dworkin Student Activities Complex on Sunday. The free event featured free screenings, a boxed lunch, and all kinds of dance opportunities to the women in attendance.
From blood pressure to skin cancer spot checks, the free screenings available could be captured on a screening card and analyzed by a doctor on site or with their own doctors at another time.
“It’s important to offer free screenings because a lot of people don’t have the opportunity to get these,” said Ellen Sharpe, Administrative Director of Physician & Outreach Marketing for the Franciscan Health in Northern Indiana. “We always like to reach out to our communities and encourage them to take charge of their health: to be healthy, get their screenings, watch their diet, get exercise and just take care of themselves.”
“We are about prevention. That’s why we support events like this. Everyday our employees work very hard to prevent illness and injury in the workplace,” said Kelly Nissan, ArcelorMittal's Communications & Corporate Responsibilities Manager. “Take the opportunities today to know your numbers and get your screenings because it really could save your life.”
Speaking about the new North Campus, opening January 12, Jill Nygren, VP of Clinical Operations at Franciscan Health, Michigan City, said, “Wellness and prevention keep people out of the hospital instead of going to the hospital.”
This year’s special, and inspirational, guest speaker was Leigh Anne Tuohy, the inspiration for Sandra Bullock’s character in the 2009 film, The Blind Side. Before lunch, she took to the stage and rehashed some of the events from the film, corrected parts of the movie, and spoke about the power of stopping, turning around, and helping someone in need. Indeed, this was the heart of her “hope, love and opportunity” message.
“It’s important to give back, notice what’s going on around you, care about the people in your life, and take care of yourself,” Sharpe said of Tuohy’s wholistic message. “It’s all part of the same universe.”
After lunch, ladies were invited to make the rounds for their free screenings and, of course, Just Dance! From Zumba to Hip Hop, dancers were led by capable instructors while being encouraged to feel the movement.
“We’re here today to find our own rhythm,” said Marci Crozier, Administrative Director of Health Promotions, Franciscan Health Fitness Centers, Chesterton & Schererville. “We want to learn to dance our own dance with individual attention and without judgment of others or ourselves.”
“Behind this event and others is the idea that exercise doesn’t have to be drudgery,” Sharpe said. “It can be anything you find fun. It can be dance, movement, riding your bike, it can be all sorts of things. We just want to encourage people to get out and exercise.”
If you want to be involved in events like Just Dance, where you can receive free screenings and more, register for Inspiring Women at franciscanhealth.org/inspiringwomennwi.
