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Kids & Family

Photo Gallery: Oakwood Celebrates National Walking Day

Employees from the Dearborn-based health care company took steps toward getting healthy Wednesday at the Oakwood Hospital and Medical Center.

Employees of Dearborn's made getting healthy part of their day of work on Wednesday when they participated in National Walking Day.

Coordinated through employee health program Oakwell and the American Heart Association, employees walked a loop around the grounds of the hospital in honor of the day to celebrate healthy living.

"Oakwood is an employee wellness program with dedicated resources," explained Oakwell Manager Carla Schneider. "Exercise and healthy eating are two things employees take charge of."

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The hospital offers Oakwell healthy meals in the cafeteria, plus a computer application that reminds employees to take a break after an hour of computer work.

Oakwell also works to get employees involved with ongoing healthy activity, such as the "Oakwell Road Trip," which has 60 employee teams logging their steps and minutes of activity.

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The effort doesn't go unnoticed by the American Heart Association.

"Oakwood is in line with some goals we believe in," said AHA of Southeast Michigan Communications Director Melissa Thrasher. "One of the important things is that they like to start from within."

National Walking Day is a prelude to the AHA's Heart Walk, which takes play May 12 at Detroit's Ford Field. A second event happens May 19 in Washtenaw County.

Oakwood Hospital and Medical Center Division President Doug Welday said the message of the AHA fits perfectly with Oakwood's views.

"National Walking Day is a testament to what we're all here to do," Welday said. "We're recognizing the importance of healthy living today and every day."

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