‘TMH for Life’ Focuses on Community Health

Photos by Jayla Wilson
Runners kicked off “TMH for Life” 5K race at the sound of the whistle on Saturday, May 9.

By Jayla Wilson
Outlook Writer

The Tallahassee Memorial Hospital hosted its “TMH for Life” 5K run Saturday at the Bethel Family Life Center. The event kicked off at 8:30 a.m. with the 5K run, followed by a one-mile fun walk.

The hospital launched the TMH for Life Challenge to help keep alive its vision to lead the community it serves to become the healthiest in the nation.

The purpose of this challenge is to increase awareness of one’s physical and mental well-being by inviting participants to take part in quarterly challenges.

The event also had other festivities such as free health screenings, a three-legged relay race, a hula hoop contest, Zumba express and muscle mixology.
Adam Greenstein, who won the 5K run, said that although he has participated in 5K runs throughout the community this is his first time doing the TMH for Life 5K. He said it was a tough course, but he had fun running for such a good cause.

“One cool thing about doing 5Ks is that I enjoy them, it’s for a good cause, so I feel like I’m doing a little bit of charity and having fun at the same time which is nice,” said Greenstein.

Lauren Faison, who is an administrator for TMH, said this is the first year the hospital has hosted the event. She also said TMH has always been focused on improving community health but this campaign gave hospital staff an organized way to put all those activities out in the community.

“What we want to do is to help people start moving,” Faison said. “You don’t have to be a marathon runner but just come out, walk with some friends and get your body moving.”

Earlene Byrd, 64, participated in both the 5K run and one-mile fun walk. Byrd said her goal was to run the 5K but when challenged to do the one-mile race she persevered and did that one as well.

Byrd said that despite very little incline she enjoyed doing the 5K run and she could see herself doing it again, especially for such a good cause.

“It’s very helpful,” Byrd said. “It’s strength for the body and at my age, just to be able to get up and walk and run on a consistent basis – it makes me feel better.”

Faison said the “TMH for Life” campaign is targeted to last at least three years with a focus on the community’s obesity level and blood pressure levels.

“We have a lot of people in our community who are suffering that don’t have to, that really need to make some simple changes that could dramatically improve their health,” Faison said. “It doesn’t have to be anything major and we want to get that message across to start today. Don’t say, ‘I’m going to do it tomorrow.’
“Start today.”