Kick-off Events Scheduled at SMMC in Honor of National Start! Walking Day

To encourage motivation, Chief Executive Officer Samuel H. Turner, Sr., will be in the Cafeteria with green hair from noon-1 p.m. today for its internal rally. Associates will have an opportunity to take a photo, make a donation to the AHA or sign up for the Heart Walk. All photos will be framed and signed by Turner himself.

“With cardiovascular disease as the number one killer in the United States, we understand the importance of changing the lives of our employees and community,” said Turner. “The Start! program is a great opportunity for us to create a culture of physical activity and health through workplace walking programs that enable our associates to live longer, stronger, heart-healthier lives.”

As a hospital leader and strong supporter of the Start! movement in Kansas City, SMMC is also challenging companies to a Kansas City Start! Walking Challenge. The challenge will begin on April 8 and end on May 20. The winner will be determined by the individual who walks the highest average number of steps.

SMMC is also pleased to have the first and only Start! Walking Trail in Kansas City. The path includes a number of stations where walkers can stretch, find their balance, and more. The nearly one-mile path is scheduled to be open to the public by the end of April.

About Shawnee Mission Medical Center
Shawnee Mission Medical Center (SMMC) is a 383-bed facility with nearly 20,000 inpatient admissions and more than 200,000 outpatient admissions annually. SMMC has the busiest emergency department in Johnson County, the area's first accredited Chest Pain Emergency Center, a nationally recognized Center for Women's Health and delivers more babies each year than any other hospital in the metropolitan area. SMMC employs more than 2,800 local residents and supports an exceptional staff of 700 physicians representing 50 medical specialties, the largest medical staff in Kansas City. Visit us on the Web at ShawneeMission.org.