JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO - RANDOLPH, Texas –
The 59th Medical Wing Health Rally – an event that attracted some 300 participants last year – returns to Airmen’s Heritage Park at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph this month.
Comprising of a health fair, a 5K run/walk for children and a 9K run for beneficiaries who are high school age and older, the health rally is set for 9:30 a.m. Feb. 24.
With the support of the 502nd Air Base Wing, the 59th MDW is proactively reaching out to its beneficiaries in a fun, pep rally-like format, said Gina Ramirez, 359th Medical Operations Squadron outreach/resiliency coordinator.
“The purpose of the 59th Medical Wing Health Rally is to show beneficiaries of the San Antonio Military Health System that it genuinely cares for them,” she said. “Each and every single health care provider is here in a volunteer status. They are passionate about their profession and they are passionate about the health and well-being of their patients.”
The event also opens National Nutrition Month, which is recognized in March, Ramirez said.
“The scope of the theme includes health, fitness, family and nutrition,” she said. “We want to take a broader holistic approach to mind-body-behavior wellness.”
This year’s health rally features more race categories: 10 years and younger, 11-13 and 14-17 for the Fit Kid 5K and 14-17, 18-29, 30-49 and 50 and older for the Health Rally 9K. First- through third-place medals will be awarded in each category of the Fit Kid 5K, and medals will be presented to the top three male and top three female finishers in each category of the 9K run.
The Fit Kid 5K is open to participants of all ages, including jog strollers, leashed pets and dorm and temporary lodging residents.
Airmen’s Heritage Park will be filled with information booths for the health fair portion of the event. Organizations represented will include JBSA medical units, military and family readiness centers, youth centers, chaplain services and San Antonio area nonprofit organizations.
The health rally enhances the Air Force mission by reaching out to the warfighter, veterans and families and promoting a proactive lifestyle to attain good health, Ramirez said.
“We do this by making available a variety of health-related organizations while also offering a few fitness-related activities,” she said. “A key component to becoming a high-reliability organization in the health care industry is to take the initiative to help our beneficiaries from becoming ill in the first place. Prevention is the key to health care.”
The event will help get children moving and bring awareness of safety and overall health, Ramirez said.
“With the many organizations participating, it will also be a great time to recognize all the resources for children and adults that we have in the JBSA community and in the greater San Antonio area,” she said.
Participants in the Fit Kid 5K and Health Rally 9K can register by visiting www.healthrally.us. Registration, which is free, ends Feb. 22.