IU Health Bloomington Hospital Named “Corporate Partner of the Year” by Indiana Park and Recreation Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2017

For more information please contact:
Paula McDevitt, Administrator, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, 812.349.3711 or mcdevitp@bloomington.in.gov

Jonie Gates, Manager of Marketing and Public Relations, IU Health Bloomington Hospital, 812.353.9691 or jgates5@iuhealth.org

Bloomington, Ind. - The Indiana Park and Recreation Association (IPRA), a not-for-profit membership association representing more than 900 park and recreation professionals throughout Indiana, presented IU Health Bloomington Hospital with the Corporate Partner of the Year award at the IPRA conference in Indianapolis last week. IPRA Awards of Excellence recognize Hoosier organizations, agencies, and individuals that embody the vision, dedication, and excellence needed in the field of parks and recreation. The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department nominated IU Health Bloomington Hospital for the award in recognition of their long-standing partnership with Bloomington Parks and Recreation. "This award is a true reflection of the spirit of our ongoing partnership," said Paula McDevitt, Administrator of the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. "Everything our Department does benefits the social, mental, and physical health of our community, and IU Health Bloomington has been a champion of wellness, preventative care, and the benefits of physical activity." IU Health was instrumental in acquiring a grant that funded the construction of a new playground at the Waldron, Hill and Buskirk Park and has, for the past three years, made a Bloomington Parks and Recreation property the recipient of its annual Day of Service. During the Day of Service, IU Health employees move tons of mulch and gravel, remove hundreds of invasive plants, clean, paint, spruce up, and otherwise give an entire day to beautifying and enhancing Bloomington's play spaces. "Collaboration is key, and we are pleased to work with Parks and Recreation in so many different ways," said Carol Weiss-Kennedy, Director of Community Health for IU Health Bloomington Hospital. "We have appreciated the opportunity to hold quarterly Well Checks with the Parks and Recreation Department, to provide personal trainers for Department sporting events, and to utilize Parks and Recreation Department parks and facilities for IU Health Bloomington Hospital programs." IU Health Bloomington Hospital employees are also invested in the community and take part in other Parks and Recreation programs. The Bloomington Walking Club is sponsored by IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians, and IU Health neurologist Dr. Amartyadeb Goswami meets with the Walking Club every Thursday afternoon, April through October. For more information about Parks and Recreation Department programs that benefit community health, or to learn more about the IPRA Awards of Excellence Program, call Bloomington Parks and Recreation at 812.349.3700. ###