Auxiliary-funded HealthPlex Fitness Track dedicated Thursday at
St. Joseph-Breese

Represented by President Rose Kreke, members of the Auxiliary at St. Joseph Hospital in Breese took the opportunity of the HealthPlex Fitness Track dedication to present a ceremonial $125,000 check to hospital Board Chairperson Sister Marybeth Culnan. The check represented several donations: $25,000 in 2004 for the walking track, $50,000 in 2006 for exercise equipment and $50,000 in 2008 for the Women and Infants Center. Members of the Auxiliary enjoyed light refreshments in the HealthPlex Conference Room following the dedication. A light drizzle, which had threatened throughout the half-hour ceremony, arrived just after everyone had moved inside.

Over 100 members of the Auxiliary at St. Joseph's Hospital in Breese saw their hard work become a reality when the new HealthPlex Fitness Track was dedicated under overcast skies Thursday afternoon, April 24.

Father Henry Fischer of St. Cecelia's Parish in Bartelso gave the blessing, climbing to the top of a ladder to sprinkle holy water toward the .43-mile track and six fitness stations.

"We thank you, God our Father, for the instruments of your work-our many volunteers," Father said in his blessing.

"They opened their ears, hearts and hard work to our dreams and made this walking track a reality," he said. "And they did so with care, respect, competency and joy."

Hospital Interim CEO Lowell Jones praised the volunteers for their hard work and dedication.

"I have never served at a hospital that has so much support," Jones said. "The Auxiliary is a true partnership with the mission and the ministry of St. Joseph's Hospital."

Guests of honor at the dedication included representatives from Hospital Sisters Health System, of which St. Joseph's in Breese is an affiliate, and members of the hospital Board of Directors.

From HSHS were Board Chairperson Sister MaryAnn Minor and Chief Operating Officer Larry Schumacher; from St. Joseph-Breese were Board Chairperson Sister Marybeth Culnan and Board member Sister Josine Mondloch. The Sisters are of the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, sponsors of HSHS and affiliated hospitals.

Also highlighting the dedication ceremony was presentation of a ceremonial $125,000 check by Auxiliary President Rose Kreke to hospital Board Chairperson Sister Marybeth Culnan.

The check represented several donations: $25,000 in 2004 for the walking track, $50,000 in 2006 for exercise equipment and $50,000 in 2008 for the Women and Infants Center. 

The ceremony closed with a reception at the HealthPlex where Volunteer Services Director Judy Schrage added her thanks for the members' efforts.

The new fitness track-open to the public-includes Station 1 - Waist Stretcher for the back and abdominal area and Back Extension for the lower back, gluteus and hamstring areas; Station 2 - Uneven Bars for shoulder strength and biceps and Weight Lift to improve strength; Station 3 - Self-weighted Rower to work lats, deltoids, arm flexors and biceps and an Air Walker for cardiovascular benefits; Station 4 - Sit-up Board for hip and thigh flexors and abdominal strength and Two-sided Rotator for spine and lower back; Station 5 - Horizontal Ladder to build agility and upper body strength and Pommel Horse to develop tricep and shoulder muscles; and Station 6 - Leg Press to build quadriceps and gluteal muscles and Bounding Bars to promote agility.

Those using the fitness track should park at the HealthPlex. For more information, contact 526-5628 or email Marion Krebs.