During American Heart Month, we printed thousands of coloring sheets and distributed them to local elementary schools. Students were asked to draw a depiction of how they care for their heart. Prizes—including a gift card to the local bookstore—were available for two age groups, and were prominently displayed in the hospital’s main lobby throughout the month of February. In 2014 we had 180 entries, 2015 had 383 and 2016—our biggest year—generated 614 entries.
The Dine Out Heart Smart program was a collaboration between Walla Walla General Hospital’s cardiology team and local restaurants to offer a heart-healthy menu item during American Heart Month. Each dish met the AHA’s heart-healthy recommendations for diet and lifestyle.
Among the participating restaurants, patrons ordered approximately 1,000 heart-healthy meals every February the program ran.
Inspired by the healing that music therapy can have on patients, caregivers and visitors alike, we partnered with the Walla Walla Symphony bring the Heart Beat Concert Series into the hospital setting. The program presented live-music performances on the medical units, followed by an hour-long performance in the main lobby.
The inaugural concert received front page coverage in the local newspaper. Click here (PDF) to read the story.
Heart Beat Concert Series, April 13, 2015
Heart Beat Concert Series, May 13, 2015
Heart Beat Concert Series, December 8, 2015
Heart Beat Concert Series, December 12, 2014
Heart Beat Concert Series, February 11, 2015
Heart Beat Concert Series, February 15, 2016
Heart Beat Concert Series, March 11, 2015