Heartland Health was named the single recipient of the prestigious 2009 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service, one of the most respected community service honors in healthcare. Each year, this $100,000 prize is presented to one health–care organization that provides innovative programs that significantly improve the health and well-being of its community. The Foster G. McGaw Prize is sponsored by The Baxter International Foundation, the Cardinal Health Foundation, the American Hospital Association (AHA) and Health Research & Educational Trust.

“The Foster G. McGaw Prize recognizes health–care organizations that serve as role models for improving the health and well-being of the people in their communities. This year’s winner and finalists embody the numerous ways health–care organizations positively affect the communities they serve,” said John O’Brien, chair of the Foster G. McGaw Prize Committee. 

“Heartland Health is committed to creating a better, healthier, more dynamic community for the long term. Focusing on root causes, Heartland partners with the community on programs to address a wide variety of human behaviors that influence health,” said O’Brien. “The system’s initiatives deal with issues ranging from youth obesity to high school graduation rates, economic development, early childhood education, women’s health, and more. Through these efforts, Heartland Health demonstrates its role as a fully engaged community partner in addressing the health and social issues in the region it serves.”

Among other programs, Heartland Health was recognized for the following innovative community service initiatives:

• emPower Plant – Designed by the Heartland Foundation, this hands-on experience of civic education engages students in community work involving more than 90 schools, 8,856 students and 453 teachers.
   
• Public Achievement – Since 1999, this program has provided a forum for youth to practice citizenship, engage in public work and learn about the democratic process. This partnership between the National Center for Democracy and Heartland Foundation has immersed more than 2,000 students in civic responsibility initiatives.
   
• JumpStarters – Building on the emPower Plant and Public Achievement programs, JumpStarters offers a unique opportunity for students to get involved in their communities by integrating service projects with classroom learning, allowing students to use what they learn in the classroom to solve real-life problems. Learn and Serve America provides support to JumpStarters to facilitate service-learning projects.
   
• Project Fit – The Heartland Foundation’s 10-year partnership with Project Fit America has involved more than 10,800 students from 43 schools. The program not only increases physical activity for children, but has proven that students involved are more focused in the classroom, miss fewer days of school and are higher achievers in their school work.
   
• Pound Plunge – This 12-week community weight loss program provides constant support in helping adults achieve their weight loss goals. Through competition, fun events and physician involvement, participants have lost more than 42,000 lbs. in the program’s four–year history.

Named as finalists for this year’s award and receiving $10,000 each are Alegent Health in Omaha, Neb., Lancaster General Health in Lancaster, Pa., and St. Vincent Health in Indianapolis, Ind.