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WINDBER
MEDICAL CENTER AND CURA HOSPITALITY
TEAM TO
MAKE HOSPITAL MEALS “TRANS-FAT FREE”
(Windber,
PA. September 29, 2006)
“Serving hospital meals that contribute to heart disease is akin
to putting cigarette machines in a cancer center” is how Windber
Medical Center CEO Nick Jacobs describes the motivation behind a
decision to remove artery-clogging trans-fatty acids from the
hospital’s patient menu and to make trans-fat-free options
available for employees and visitors. Windber Medical Center
will be one of the first, if not the first hospital in
the country to make this move. In the forefront of this
initiative will be the hospital’s dining services partner, Cura
Hospitality of Allentown.
“This is not just another food fad,” says Joe Herman, Cura's
Senior Director of Clinical Nutrition Services. “Trans-fats are
man-made substances that have been proven to cause heart
disease. The science on this is solid.”
“There are a number of compelling reasons why Cura and Windber
Medical Center are ideal partners in the fight against the
health hazards of trans-fat,” said Mitch Possinger “First,
Cura’s size and structure allow us to be nimble and responsive
to clients, like Windber Medical Center, who require a
customized meal plan. In addition, Cura is already a leader in
providing trans-fat-free meals.” Last fall, after more than a
year of research and development, Cura switched from traditional
cooking oils to the use of trans- fat-free canola oil to better
meet the needs of its residents, patients and guests throughout
the mid-Atlantic region.
“In addition to their experience with trans-fat elimination,
Windber Medical Center and Cura Hospitality share a common
philosophy of caring for others,” adds Jacobs. “WindberCare
provides both high-tech and high-touch care that emphasizes
healing mind, body and spirit, based on the Planetree model.
Cura’s LivingLife philosophy is dedicated to nourishing
the body and uplifting the spirit through great food. Working
together on a project like this really plays to both
organizations’ strengths.”
The goals of the trans-fat free program are to eliminate a known
health hazard from meals served by the hospital; to raise
awareness of the dangers of trans-fats in both the hospital and
the community; and to encourage patients, families and employees
to eliminate trans-fats from their diets at home in order to
reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
The campaign begins on September 29th with a press
conference and introduction to featured foods from the new
Trans-Fat Free menu. Those who attend should be prepared to
sample foods that are both healthy and delicious. According to
Mitch Possinger, Cura Hospitality President, last year’s switch
to trans-fat free oil “not only made meals healthier but
actually enhanced the taste and quality of the fresh foods we
serve to our patients and guests. Anyone who expects the
hospital’s new menu to consist of nothing but tofu and bean
sprouts will be very pleasantly surprised. It will be quite
tasty.”
ABOUT CURA HOSPITALITY
Headquartered near Allentown, Pennsylvania, Cura Hospitality
Enhances Life around Great Food in 69 senior living communities
and hospitals in the mid-Atlantic region. Through the efforts
of more than 850 employees, Cura provides hospitality to more
than 17,000 residents, patients and other guests each day.
ABOUT WINDBER MEDICAL CENTER
Windber
Medical Center is a rural hospital serving the communities
around Windber, PA—a former coal-mining center in Southwest
Pennsylvania. The hospital maintains its status as an
independent, 82-bed, community-based hospital, providing the
highest quality health care. Windber Medical Center is a
Planetree hospital dedicated to patient-centered innovations
in healthcare delivery that focus on mind, body and spirit.
TO LEARN
MORE
About
(Co-Sponsor):
www. (cosponsor's site) .com
About
Windber Medical Center
www.windbercare.com
About Cura
Hospitality
www.curahospitality.com |
