Ascension Calumet Hospital, Chilton, 2024 Community Benefits
Health and Fitness Program Supports Patients with Chronic Conditions
Ascension Calumet Hospital launched an initiative 20 years ago to help community members manage chronic conditions such as pre-diabetes, diabetes, and hypertension by providing health and fitness opportunities.
The Health & Fitness Program is specifically designed for people with chronic diseases, cardiovascular risk factors, interested in weight management, and as a continuum of care following cardiac rehab, pulmonary rehab or physical therapy.
In addition to Ascension Calumet, this program is also offered at Ascension’s Fox Valley facilities, Ascension Mercy and Ascension St. Elizabeth. Exercise classes are held at the cardiac and pulmonary rehab center, each Tuesday and Thursday, year-round. It is offered to patients who have recently completed rehabilitation programs who want to create a habit of regular exercise with assistance from medical specialists. It is not insurance based, anyone from the community is welcome to participate. Members are charged $4 per session.
When participants first arrive, they get their vital signs taken - such as blood pressure, weight and oxygen levels. The gym is open to all participants to individually work out at their own pace. Medical staff monitor progress and are available to answer health-related questions and provide education.
“This program has made such an impact on people, we’ve had several members who have come to us for more than a decade,” Supervisor of Clinical Operations, Robyn West said. “Staying on top of health and fitness for chronic conditions can decrease hospital admissions and improve someone’s overall quality of life.”
Coordinators estimate 30 people come to the exercise sessions each week. The Health and Fitness program has helped thousands of people over the last two decades.
The Health & Fitness Program is specifically designed for people with chronic diseases, cardiovascular risk factors, interested in weight management, and as a continuum of care following cardiac rehab, pulmonary rehab or physical therapy.
In addition to Ascension Calumet, this program is also offered at Ascension’s Fox Valley facilities, Ascension Mercy and Ascension St. Elizabeth. Exercise classes are held at the cardiac and pulmonary rehab center, each Tuesday and Thursday, year-round. It is offered to patients who have recently completed rehabilitation programs who want to create a habit of regular exercise with assistance from medical specialists. It is not insurance based, anyone from the community is welcome to participate. Members are charged $4 per session.
When participants first arrive, they get their vital signs taken - such as blood pressure, weight and oxygen levels. The gym is open to all participants to individually work out at their own pace. Medical staff monitor progress and are available to answer health-related questions and provide education.
“This program has made such an impact on people, we’ve had several members who have come to us for more than a decade,” Supervisor of Clinical Operations, Robyn West said. “Staying on top of health and fitness for chronic conditions can decrease hospital admissions and improve someone’s overall quality of life.”
Coordinators estimate 30 people come to the exercise sessions each week. The Health and Fitness program has helped thousands of people over the last two decades.
Youth Apprenticeship Program Prepares High School Students for Healthcare Careers
For seven years, Ascension Calumet Hospital has participated in the Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA, Region 6) Youth Apprenticeship Program.
With the participation of local area schools during the school year, students in their junior and senior years of high school have the opportunity to work as an apprentice in healthcare at Ascension Calumet while continuing to take their regular classes. This gives students who have an early interest in a career in healthcare an introduction to their desired field of study.
“These teenagers who are interested in healthcare have this incredible opportunity to explore their passion, which can lead them to their future career,” Ascension Calumet Director of Nursing, Judith Strodthoff, MHA, BSN, RN said. “This opens the door to so many possibilities for them in several different fields, including nursing, radiology, surgery and so many others.”
Participants fulfill 450 hours of work throughout the school year, following the same guidelines as employees. Students also receive school credit for the program.
“The program also helps build the workforce pipeline,” Strodthoff said. “It helps with recruitment and retention, while also giving young people exposure and experience in healthcare.”
Since the program started in 2018, Ascension Calumet has accepted two students as youth apprentices each year. The very first Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Youth Apprentices were both seniors at Hilbert High School and both went on to successfully complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Most of Ascension Calumet’s CNA Youth Apprentices have gone on to pursue various careers in nursing. One participant is in her final year of school to obtain a bachelor’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography. Other Youth Apprentice student participants have transitioned into permanent employment positions in the health field after completing the program.
With the participation of local area schools during the school year, students in their junior and senior years of high school have the opportunity to work as an apprentice in healthcare at Ascension Calumet while continuing to take their regular classes. This gives students who have an early interest in a career in healthcare an introduction to their desired field of study.
“These teenagers who are interested in healthcare have this incredible opportunity to explore their passion, which can lead them to their future career,” Ascension Calumet Director of Nursing, Judith Strodthoff, MHA, BSN, RN said. “This opens the door to so many possibilities for them in several different fields, including nursing, radiology, surgery and so many others.”
Participants fulfill 450 hours of work throughout the school year, following the same guidelines as employees. Students also receive school credit for the program.
“The program also helps build the workforce pipeline,” Strodthoff said. “It helps with recruitment and retention, while also giving young people exposure and experience in healthcare.”
Since the program started in 2018, Ascension Calumet has accepted two students as youth apprentices each year. The very first Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Youth Apprentices were both seniors at Hilbert High School and both went on to successfully complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Most of Ascension Calumet’s CNA Youth Apprentices have gone on to pursue various careers in nursing. One participant is in her final year of school to obtain a bachelor’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography. Other Youth Apprentice student participants have transitioned into permanent employment positions in the health field after completing the program.
