Wishing You a Happy New Year

On behalf of all of us at St. John’s, a very happy new year to you and your loved ones! I hope that you had an enjoyable holiday season filled with family and friends. Many of us use the beginning of a new year to reflect on the past year and to set goals for the next. My hope for you is that in the coming year you will take time to do something healthy for yourself. Maybe it’s starting that exercise program or truly focusing on better living through nutrition - whatever your goals, St. John’s can help.

In the pages that follow, you may find some inspiration from others in our community who have taken some of these steps. This issue of St. John’s Healthy People is filled information on exercise, health breakthroughs, nutrition, and disease prevention. Remember how our parents always told us to wash our hands? What seemed like such common sense continues to prove to be the best way to avoid colds and the flu. See page six for some surprising facts, helpful hints and information to help you avoid the causes of many illnesses.

In February we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of St. John’s Hammons Heart Institute. This month-long celebration will include a number of screenings and educational opportunities. We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate the impact that Hammons Heart Institute has had on the community.

Also in this edition, see how St. John’s and Missouri State University will work together to advance biomedical research. Over the last two decades, St. John’s and Missouri State University have partnered on a number of important initiatives and this will be yet another positive impact on the community.

St. John’s is pleased to have been a part of this community since 1891 when the Sisters of Mercy responded to a call to open the area’s first hospital. Today, we bring that same spirit of the Sisters of Mercy through our 9400 co-workers, 460 physician partners, 600 volunteers, and of course, the four Sisters who currently serve at St. John’s.

Thanks for reading and good luck with your efforts toward a healthier 2007. Please write our editor, Melissa Haase if you have recommendations for upcoming issues of Healthy People. It is a pleasure to be able to serve you.

Happy 2007!

Sincerely,

Kim Day
St. John’s Health System President / CEO