Columbus, GA Project Update

Newt was in Columbus, GA on September 8th to announce the Columbus Research Foundation and Columbus Regional Medical Center as recipients of a Microsoft Corporation Be Well Fund grant. The initiative is designed to empower providers with targeted funding to stimulate the research and development of online tools that improve health. Over 200 proposals were submitted from across the country. The Columbus initiative was one of 15 organizations receiving funds.

Royce Ann Adkins, Columbus Research Foundation, Newt, & Steven Leichter, MD, Endocrine Consultants

Royce Ann Adkins, Executive Director of the Columbus Research Foundation presented an overview of the program that is to launch in January of 2009. There are two major goals: to improve participants’ eating habits and to encourage physical activity. The program will be offered to the 3500 7th graders in Muscogee County. The plan is to develop the project during the first half of the school year working closely with school administration and teachers to integrate the project into the core curriculum. The program
will be launched for students after the winter break. Students will use several web sites that are currently being developed – as well as Microsoft’s HealthVault – to track progress in improving dietary habits and physical activity. Competition will be encouraged among classes and among schools. One of the highlights will be the “Walk to Microsoft” headquarters in Redmond, Washington, using an interactive map of the United States.

Newt with 7th Graders Participating in the Press Conference

The program will develop and test a model for improving the health of our children. We look forward to reporting the progress and outcomes of this initiative of the Georgia Project as we continue to build and test the models for health transformation in Georgia. Newt then spoke at the Jim Blanchard Leadership Forum 'Leadership in a Flat World.’ Newt discussed the challenges facing our nation today and the 21st century leadership that
is needed from not only our government, but most importantly from our citizens and community leaders to move from the world that fails to the world that works.