Photo by Lucas DeDonder
Memorial Health System Walking Path
In the fall of 2020, Memorial Health Foundation received a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Implementation Grant in the amount of $40,070.15, and a $5,000 Community Spaces Grant from the Union Pacific Foundation, to help construct a walking path on the south side of the Memorial Hospital campus. Memorial Health System is nestled in a quiet neighborhood on the east side of Abilene. There are many homes in the area, and very few sidewalks. Memorial Health System, through a worksite wellness plan, encourages staff to get up and move during the day. The walking path is open to the public and encourages everyone to use it!
Several years ago, Memorial Health System (MHS), Chief Executive Officer, Harold Courtois, signed a pledge to “affirm our commitment to taking on new opportunities that provide greater access to healthy lifestyles for our patients and employees,” he said. “We believe it is our responsibility and our duty as a health care organization to improve the lives of the population we serve, and encourage strong community norms for healthier living. We are willing to learn more about making healthy environment and healthy policy changes to help all employees, patients, and community members live longer and have better quality lives.”
“The Quality of Life Coalition (in Abilene) deserves the credit for bringing the Pathways grant to Dickinson County,” said Kim Stivers, previous MHS Director of Community Affairs and the Foundation. “They have been wonderful to work with, and I know there are many businesses and organizations in the community who have and will continue to benefit from their work.”
Memorial Health Foundation continues to raise funds through donations, grants, and memorials to fund additional enhancements for the area such as solar lighting, sitting benches, waste containers for trash and pets, trees, and playground equipment. “We would love to see this area become so inviting that people can’t wait to go for a walk around the trail, ” said current Community Affairs Director, Haley Jones. “Kim Stivers started a wonderful project and we have a long ways to go before we can call it done!”
If you would like to make a donation to help enhance the walking path area, please contact Haley Jones, Foundation Director, at (785) 263-6686 or email hjones@mhsks.org.
*If you would like to purchase a memorial bench for the Walking Path, a link to the order form is below.
Memorial Bench Order Form
