With these grants, rural health care providers and their communities collaborate to address their unique health and wellness challenges. The grants are offered jointly by the BCBSND Caring Foundation and the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota, School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Rural Health Provider Partnership Grants
Congratulations to our 2020 awardees:
Southwest Healthcare Services, Bowman
Implemented “Step It Up,” an employee wellness event using fitness trackers to encourage friendly competition between departments on steps walked throughout the month
CHI St. Alexius Health, Carrington
Offered a weekly book club based on the book “Intuitive Eating” to teach staff tools for mindful eating and added a step mill to promote physical activity
St Luke’s Medical Center, Crosby
Hosted a 5k fun run/walk fundraising event
Unity Medical Center, Grafton
Started a wellness program to include lunch & learns at the hospital, culinary medicine classes for staff and the public along with a demonstration booth at the local supermarket. They also opened their physical therapy gym to staff during hours that are not utilized by patients
West River Health Services, Hettinger
Trained and certified six community members to become fitness instructors
Emmons County Public Health, Linton
Instituted a workshop designed for people 65 years of age or older who may have had a fall in the past year, have a fear of falling, live in their own residence and do not have dementia
Nelson County Health System, McVille
Implemented an employee nutritional education initiative to provide staff with nutritional information and healthy meal examples and why choosing healthier foods makes a difference in their health
Presentation Medical Center, Rolla
Held a series of six 5k runs for the community to help combat climbing obesity rates
Sargent County District Health Unit, Forman
Purchased a rowing machine for the Community Wellness Center
Mountrail County Medical Center, Stanley
Purchased playground equipment for Stanley Elementary School