Contact: Amy Gilliam

"The Good Samaritan Foundation highly values its relationship with the UK College of Nursing. The fitness fair is a prime example of what we can do together."

-- James W. Holsinger Jr., M.D., Ph.D.,
chairman of the Board of Trustees,
Good Samaritan Foundation,
secretary,
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 23, 2004) -- More than 1,100 third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students from Fayette and nearby counties learned about rest and stress, nutrition and exercise during “Fitness Fantasia,” a three-day event held at Crestwood Christian Church.

“Fitness Fantasia” was developed by the University of Kentucky College of Nursing through a grant from the Good Samaritan Foundation.

“Fitness Fantasia is a good example of a partnership between the community, the foundation, and the university, which serves to promote, support and enhance the community,” said Marcia Stanhope, D.S.N., associate dean, UK College of Nursing.

From relaxation techniques to physical activities, students participated in four different stations promoting health and well-being. Activities at “Relaxation Station,” focused on the importance of rest and stress while practicing relaxation exercises. At “Movement Mountain,” the focus centered on the benefits of keeping fit and included exercise activities. The third station, “Pyramid Paradise,” focused on nutrition and health and included a food guide pyramid relay race. Students visited “Fitness Forest,” which establishes an overview of the three other stations with a “Jeopardy!” formatted game.

Once students accomplished all stations, a gift bag including an educational activity book, an apple stress ball and a jump rope were awarded to the students, promoting the extension of health and well-being.

Teachers were also awarded for their participation in Fitness Fantasia. Award items included tote bags and copies of all lesson plans used in the presentations.

Schools received a complimentary copy of “Germ Busters 2,” an interactive CD-ROM specifically designed for students in third through fifth grade, which includes complete lesson plans and activity sheets addressing the relationship between disease prevention and exercise, rest and nutrition.

"The Good Samaritan Foundation highly values its relationship with the UK College of Nursing,” said James W. Holsinger Jr., M.D., Ph.D., chairman of the Board of Trustees of Good Samaritan Foundation and secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. “The fitness fair is a prime example of what we can do together."

The UK College of Nursing and the Good Samaritan Foundation established the Good Samaritan Nurse Managed Care Center, a partnership between the College and the Good Samaritan Foundation. The center funds nurse practitioner fellowships and community health registered nurse internships at 10 established agencies and provides school health education programs in Lexington schools and the surrounding area. In 2001-2002, the nurse-managed care centers provided services to more than 7,400 individuals who would have not had access to health care. This year marks the tenth anniversary of service by the Good Samaritan Nursing Center to vulnerable residents in Fayette and surrounding counties.