Community Programs

Park Ridge Health is committed to promoting wellness and has established several screening and prevention programs for children and adults to facilitate that mission. In the past five years, we've provided $81 million dollars in direct community benefit, with a total of $40 million in charity care and $41 million in capital improvements. Programs include:

Kid Power

Kid Power is a free, multidisciplinary community outreach program designed to prevent and treat childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes. The objectives of the program include:

• Reducing overall body weight
• Increasing daily activity
• Developing healthy eating patterns

Launched in 2005, the program provides individual, intensive treatment and instruction for pediatrician-referred children, ages 8 to 18.

In 2008, Kid Power was enhanced with funding from the state of North Carolina through the Childhood Obesity Prevention Demonstration Project. Kid Power now meets at the Leila Patterson Center and allows more children to be served at once.

Participants and their families receive:

• A membership to the fitness facility for the duration of the 12-week program
• 36 hours of fitness training
• Weekly education from a registered dietician
• Special lectures on self esteem, self maintenance, field trips and guest speakers

Additionally, kids are screened during and one year after the program.

• BMI
• Glucose
• Lipids
• Blood Pressure
• Endurance, Strength and Flexibility

In 2010, Kid Power partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Hendersonville to provide nutrition and exercise education. In addition to the intensive treatment program, Kid Power staff also gives presentations in public schools and at community events about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and weight. All proceeds from events benefit Kid Power.

Preschoolers Reaching Educational Potential (PREP)

This free screening program evalulates motor, concepts, language, articulation and BMI, and helps to diagnose and treat learning challenges (i.e., vision, hearing and developmental delays) in preschoolers so they are better prepared to begin kindergarten.

The Preschoolers Reaching Educational Potential (PREP) program provides this service for all Henderson and Buncombe Counties children ages 3 to 5 years old.

Follow-up treatment is provided, as needed, to ensure a successful kindergarten experience. 1 out of 2 children are screened each year prior to entering school.

Wellness on Wheels (WOW)

Through the Wellness on Wheels (WOW) program, we operate a mobile medical unit that offers free and below cost health screenings, as well as a women's heart health assessment program. In addition, numerous, free health presentations and support groups are offered throughout the year.

It serves the communities of Henderson, Buncombe, Transylvania and Madison, operating 4-5 days weekly, including Sundays. Test results are immediate, in addition there is counseling and physician referral services. It is staffed by 2 RN's.

In 2010, Park Ridge Health spent $197,000 on WOW and has provided 13,616 screenings in 2010. Approximately 30 percent of all clients screened were identified as being at risk for developing heart disease, a stroke, prostate cancer, osteoporosis or diabetes.