A staff member at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital was recognized prior to the Quinte Health Care Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday afternoon for her efforts to organize regular physical activities at the hospital’s wellness room.

Lawrie Ackerman was lauded by QHC Vice Chair Stuart Wright and the rest of the board’s for her commitment to workplace wellness at PECMH during the group’s bi-monthly meeting at the Prince Edward Community Centre.

Ackerman, an Administrative Assistant for the Emergency Primary Care Program, has instituted a number of staff initiatives based around activities at PECMH’s Wellness Room a space created by QHC in 2013 to unwind, work out during breaks or before or after a shift or use the message chair to relax.

“Having a facility is not enough however, as so many persons who sign up to health clubs can attest. It takes a stimulus to ensure that the facility is well used and is achieving its intent. Enter Lawrie Ackerman,” Wright said. “Going above and beyond, (Ackerman) has initiated programs that encourage wellness through actions such as; organizing pedometer challenges, health workshops and fitness classes that have the owner of a local fitness studio come in two or three times a week to work with hospital staff.”

And it’s not just QHC staff getting in on the act of getting active.

Hospital, Foundation and Family Health Team staff have also been engaged in the Participaction 150 Playlist.

Throughout 2017, groups have joined together to partake in physical activities that they may not have otherwise tried and so far, Tai Chi, paddle boarding, horseback riding, line dancing and pickle ball have been experimented with.

“Ackerman has been an instrumental support in engaging PECMH staff, Foundation staff, and PEC Family Health Team staff in wellness activities,” added Lisa Mowbray, Hospital Site Lead/Manager of Patient Services. “We all lead busy lives both professionally and personally. Sometimes we forget to look after ourselves, so these initiatives emphasize exactly that – we need to look after ourselves in order to look after others.”

For her part, Ackerman said she gained a great feeling of satisfaction that wellness activities are extending outside of work and creating a sense of camaraderie

“It’s a time to get together and be social as well as physical. It’s easy to be fit when all you’re doing is having fun,” she added.