Castle Medical Center - Wellness at Weinberg

Overview

Wellness at Weinberg is a monthly, one-hour “talk story” health series at the Weinberg transitional housing facility in Waimanalo. The Castle Medical Center (CMC) Wellness Center works with the transitional housing staff to identify topics of concern (for example, eating healthfully and exercising on a budget, stopping smoking, knowing when to use the emergency department, diabetes, dental care, music therapy, cancer, etc.) and then finds appropriate hospital staff to address the issues. The program is intended to help the at-risk residents of the transitional housing facility that have limited means and education. It encourages engagement between those most vulnerable and health care providers.

Impact

This program supports the hospital’s mission to “Care for our Community and Share God’s Love” by providing much needed information to individuals with limited education and means that have immense health needs. In making the health care system less complicated, individuals learn how to access needed health care services. This collaborative effort began in 2010. To date, sessions have been conducted on eating healthfully and exercising on a budget, stopping smoking, preventive health issues for men and women, diabetes, dental care, music therapy and cancer.

Challenges/success factors

The space available for the health presentations is small for the number of people who attend, and there are no childcare services available, so the environment for adult learning can be challenging at times. However, the CMC wellness educator and the transitional housing site director work together to address these concerns. Additionally, donated quilts are given as raffle prizes for the group. These quilts are made with aloha and the winners are very grateful.

Future direction/sustainability

A successful pilot was conducted in 2010 and the program has been in operation since 2011.

Advice to others

Always start with the identified needs of the target population. Be flexible and open to accommodating a wide range of learning styles. Bring the same passion and care to one’s community outreach efforts as one would with hospital-based care.

Contact: Nicole A. Kerr, MPH, RD
Director, Wellness & Lifestyle Medicine Center
Telephone: 808-263-5052
E-mail: kerrha@ah.org