Baptist Health Lourdes come together on Heart Walk to improve health other companies invited June 13 to join the effort
Baptist Health and Lourdes have always supported the local Heart Walk with separate sponsorships to raise awareness about heart disease and funds for heart research.
Baptist Health and Lourdes have always supported the local Heart Walk with separate sponsorships to raise awareness about heart disease and funds for heart research. This year, they are taking their support to a new level – co-leading the event.
Chris Roty, president of Baptist Health Paducah, and Mike Yungmann, Lourdes CEO, are co-chairing Heart Walk to show the community their cooperation in support against the nation’s #1 killer, heart disease, resulting in part from poor diet, little exercise and smoking.
They invite other community leaders to join them at a luncheon Wednesday to learn how their organizations can support the event, too.
“Poor health takes a high economic and personal toll on all of us,” Roty said, “so as leaders, we need to work together to change our culture.”
Lost productivity due to poor health costs nearly $300 billion each year, and the cost of treating heart disease and stroke is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2030.
“That means at least one in every three employees will need expensive therapy for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or other condition,” Yungmann said, “so you can see the need for immediate action.”
Suzanne Riley, local representative for the American Heart Association, praised the joint effort of both hospitals to lead Heart Walk. “Both hospitals have extensive cardiac programs,” she said, “so they see firsthand the toll heart disease is taking on our friends and neighbors. We appreciate their working together to make a difference.”
The Heart Walk helps companies create an environment of wellness for their employees, who form teams to participate in the event.
Organization leaders interested in learning how they can get involved are invited to the luncheon at noon Wednesday, June 13, at the Emerging Technology Center at Western Kentucky Community and Technical College. Riley requests RSVPs by Monday, June 11, at 270.519.9234.
Cardiologists Michael Faulkner, MD, of Baptist Health Heart Group, and Shawn Flynn, MD, of Mercy Cardiology Associates, will lead a panel discussion at the luncheon; and Mercy Regional EMS will demonstrate hands-only CPR.
The 2018 Western Kentucky Heart Walk will be Saturday, Oct. 20, at Noble Park. Teams may sign up, and individuals can donate at heart.org/westernkywalk.