Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

THE FINLEY HOSPITAL, Dubuque, IA 
Lighten Up Iowa/Dubuque

What is it? 
Finley Hospital leadership lead the community in organizing and implementing Lighten Up Iowa in Dubuque County. Lighten Up is a wellness program undertaken to guide Iowans toward positive lifestyle changes. Goals of the program are to 1) increase physical activity and exercise, 2) promote science-based nutrition, and 3) decrease the obesity rate in Dubuque County by 20%. Local businesses were contacted with information about involvement as a potential sponsor, team leader, and/or participant. Teams were established that compete in one or both divisions: weight loss based on a healthy diet or activity in the form of minutes of activity. The teams promoted both camaraderie and competition. Team captains recorded the weights and activities for their teams. Weekly tips and activity information contributed to the success of the program.  Monthly events were coordinated and implement by the Committee to encourage continued interest and success of participants.  Group weigh-in of teams, Health Mardi Gras to introduce zesty new alternative for healthy food, national speakers, walkathons, and incentive prizes for activities kept enthusiasm alive. Finley hospital provided a meeting place and facilitated meetings, sponsorship opportunities, as well as developing and producing the marketing materials necessary to promote this program. The hospital also coordinated health screening for Lighten Up Iowa participants at a discounted rate in cooperation with the HeartReach Mobile Lab.

Who is it for? 
Residents of Dubuque County

Why do they do it?  
Lighten Up Iowa is a weight loss and activity program recognized community-wide for making an awareness impact on lifestyle choices for the Dubuque area residents. Finley Hospital was instrumental in spearheading the lighten Up Iowa initiative locally in 2005 for implementation in 2006.
This effort is making an impact on the community by promoting wellness and making healthy lifestyle choices and will continue to make a difference in the health of the people of our community. 

How did they do it? 
The Finley Hospital met with The Dubuque County Community Health Needs Assessment/Health Improvement Plan to see how they could improve the health of people and the communities of the tri-state area." The Light Up Iowa initiative was determined to be an excellent way to address some of the issues raised in the Needs Assessment Heath Improvement plan. Maintaining the data on weight loss and activity level was done online in a user-friendly format set up at the state-level by the Iowa Sports Foundation. This online element made implementation of Lighten Up Iowa simple to maintain and easily replicable. Area businesses and community and state agencies sponsored the program via financial and in-in offers. The cost to participants was minimal, $10.00 per person.

Contact: Patty Dissell, RN, BSN
Director of Wellness Services
Telephone: 563-589- 2373
E-mail:  patty.dissell@finleyhospital.org