And the Golden Carrot goes to … CHILDREN’S HEALTHCARE AT MOUNT ZION

Reason nominated: Losing weight and improving their health

Who benefits: Employees

Lesson that can be learned: Even health care professionals need to take care of themselves.

Medical professionals always take care of their patients, but sometimes they forget to take care of themselves.

In May, a group of employees at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Mt. Zion decided to put their own health care ahead of food and treats. The goal was not just to drop pounds but to become examples of good health.

“Knowing better and taking the initiative to do it are two different things,” said Leisha Newton, a nurse at the immediate-care facility in Morrow.

Elizabeth Ledford, an X-ray technician, served as a source of inspiration for her co-workers. Over two years, she had lost about 55 pounds by following the Weight Watchers program, not eating out at lunch and bringing in her own, healthier food. Fellow staff members watched and marveled at her progress.

“I feel like a whole new person,” said the Williamson resident, who lost another 16 pounds during the past six months and rewarded herself with a tummy tuck and new hair-do.

Bound by 12-hour work shifts and demanding job pressures, members of the group encouraged each other toward their shared goal of losing weight and adopting healthier lifestyles. They made wiser lunch decisions, snack choices and home cooking options, often sharing dinner recipes. Among the rules: No more cookies and candy and no more eating out every day.

Each employee vowed to become more active by walking, jogging or working out at the gym. They also made efforts to lower their blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Having a good support system made a world of difference for Newton, who lost 40 pounds and served as the group’s conscience by constantly monitoring what people ate, noting their calorie intake and offering healthier alternatives. “The big difference was taking a step forward together instead of as one,” she said.

The group of eight so far has lost a combined 251 pounds, and members say they feel more energetic and healthier.

Lisa Clark, immediate care practice manager, says she is thrilled with her healthier and happier staff members, but she admits that, at one time, she had been the “culprit.”

“I was the worst one,” she said of constantly rewarding her staff with Oreo cookies and candy and not setting a good example of eating healthy. She also ate on the run, grabbing anything out of the snack machine she could find.

Clark now brings in fruit instead of sweets and has outfitted the vending machines with baked chips instead of fried and nuts and trail mix instead of candy bars. She also added a mini stair-stepper in the break room and even lost a few pounds herself, too.

“I feel much healthier,” she said.

WHO DESERVES A CARROT?

Our Better Health report recognizes those organized efforts, large and small, that might inspire other groups to initiate their own programs. And we want to hear about them. Submit your Golden Carrot nominations to betterhealth@ajc.com.