MetroSouth videos its heart, sole

Status area

by Patrick Thomas

For one day, MetroSouth Medical Center (MSMC) in Blue Island was turned into a dance party for staff and patients. They were not only dancing, but also making a music video in the pursuit of healthy hearts.

MSMC officials brought in videographers, a choreographer and a team of production assistants and convinced more than 100 patients and staff members to dress up and dance in front of the camera.

The project was inspired by the “Pink Glove Dance,” a video created by staff at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Ore., that drew more than 6.4 million visitors to You Tube, in an effort to promote breast cancer awareness.

“Good things can happen with a healthy heart,” said Sister Doris Ashcraft, spiritual mission advocate at the hospital, who was armed with a heart-shaped balloon as she posed for the camera.

Betsy Beckmann, senior community relations coordinator at the hospital, suggested they dance to “Achy Breaky Heart.” Due to copyright rules, they played it safe and used a karaoke version of the song made famous by Billy Ray Cyrus.

“We were thinking of a song that could be consumer friendly, easy to dance to and something with heart, and that’s the song that popped into my head,” Beckmann said.

Denise Cameron, vice president of business development and physical services at MetroSouth, played the role of casting director. Convincing the normally serious staff of medical experts into dancing around with cowboy hats and red hearts turned out to be much easier than expected. Cameron said she thought they would be able to recruit 30 staff members and patients, but more than 100 dancers responded. Doctors, nurses, orderlies in scrubs, lab technicians, cafeteria workers, maintenance men, volunteers and administrators all joined in the dance.

“We were met with quiet. Nobody said anything. They weren’t coming forward, and then all of a sudden this morning everybody showed up. So we’re really excited about it. They were shy about it at first, but they just had a ball. I think they had a good time,” Cameron said. “It’s a great morale booster here.”

Hospital staff were also pleasantly surprised on New Year’s Day when they offered free heart screenings with hopes of drawing 100 patients. Instead, 1,500 people showed up.

To follow that act, MSMC officials are offering more free heart screenings throughout the month of February for the “Know Your Numbers by Heart” initiative, and they will use the video to promote the campaign. The screenings will be held in Morgan Park, Alsip, South Holland and Blue Island, where the campaign will kick off at MSMC on Feb. 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the lobby of MSMC, 12935 S. Gregory St.

“Our campaign is geared toward the community. We hope by the end of February, a lot of the community will know their numbers,” Beckmann said, “meaning they know their cholesterol, their blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index.”

Every 34 seconds a person in the United States dies from heart disease, MSMC officials said. More than 2,500 Americans die from heart disease each day, and it is considered the leading killer in women over age 25, yet most women don’t view it as a threat, Cameron said.

“We’re hoping to build awareness, especially for women because heart disease is a silent killer,” Cameron said.

Tita Lopez, of the Hegewisch neighborhood, accompanies her husband Raul, to the cardiac rehab fitness center at MSMC three times a week. After dancing for the video, Lopez said she appreciated the chance to work out and dance knowing she had a healthy heart.

“We feel good. Coming here keeps you pretty agile,” she said.

William Merritt, 77, said he has suffered two heart attacks and reports to the fitness center three times a week, but after shying away from the cameras at first, he joined in the fun thanks to his new fitness regime.

“I’m feeling better already,” he said.

The MSMC Morgan Park Health Center, 1701 W. Monterey Ave., will offer a free screening on Tuesday, Feb. 16, from 9 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.

For more information or to register for the free screenings call (708) 489-7927.

“We’re hoping to build awareness, especially for women because heart disease is a silent killer.”

– Denise Cameron

This is part of the February 3, 2010 online edition of The Beverly Review.

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