People in the healthcare industry everywhere are talking about the need for a wellness approach. We live in a culture that promotes unhealthy behaviors. It is generally understood that the reason our health care costs are so high, is that our lifestyles are so unhealthy. Until we address this issue, helping patients adopt healthy lifestyles, we will never be able to improve the health status of our communities and the rapid escalation of health care costs that is plaguing this country will continue. If health care organizations are to support patients in healthy living , the people that comprise our organizations must themselves be living healthy lifestyles. “Do as I say, not as I do”, is no more effective coming from healthcare providers than from parents. Imagine going to your health care provider and being served by someone who has overcome their diabetes or other chronic condition, by changing their diet, exercise routine, stopped smoking or reduced their stress levels…they become an inspiration for patients! Creating organizational cultures that support wellness is therefore critical to our ability to inspire patients to take responsibility for their own wellness.

We have noticed over the years that many of our clients have changed their lifestyles in ways that have dramatically improved their health as a by-product of our leadership program: Some have begun exercise routines, utilized individual or couples counseling to resolve longstanding emotional issues, recognized substance abuse problems and taken steps to quit, lost significant amounts of weight, improved their eating habits. We are beginning an initiative to incorporate a health focus in our programs intended to have managers and staff at client organizations commit to improving their health behaviors and lead their patients and consumers both by word and example.  You can help by answering 2 questions:

1.  Given your experience with PMP, what are your thoughts about this concept?

2.  Have you changed any personal health behaviors (diet, exercise, substance use, smoking, stress management) since your work with PMP?  if so, please explain: