August 2009 Health Matters Newsletter

Michelle Graham and her daughter have each been diagnosed with different types of diabetes, providing a powerful motivating force for change. This Program Assistant at DOT’s Roads Services division has woven Healthy Incentives^SM, her family and her workplace into an integrated strategy for good health that has fundamentally changed her world -- for the better.

Sgt. Napoleon Rafanan uses the Live Well Challenge as a part of a workplace strategy to stay fit and reduce the stress of the “graveyard shift” at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. Rafanan organizes teams, blogs and urges co-workers to eat smart, move more and reach outside their comfort zones toward a healthier lifestyle.

Councilmember Larry Gossett has been serving his constituents for more than 15 years. His long work schedule often includes eight or nine meetings a day at the courthouse and in the community. A supporter of Healthy Incentives^SM since its inception, Gossett says the program, along with his doctor, his family and his neighbors are helping him stick to a diet and activity regimen that helps reduce his risk of diabetes.

Public Health nurse Starla Wright now walks the talk as she serves King County residents from her workplace in Federal Way. The companionship of her work team combined with the challenge of a sprint marathon helped Wright lose weight and bring new energy and enthusiasm to her life.

Patience, temperament and objective reasoning are attributes all judges strive for in their work. King County Superior Court Judge Hollis Hill says that keeping an eye on health is also part of her foundation for ensuring that the duties of her very busy days are carried out in the best interest of those who seek justice in her courtroom.

At 60 years old, Denny Pingeon, Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor at Transit's South Base is readying for the Seattle-to-Portland bike ride, planning to climb Mount Rainier and working with his wife on their first backyard garden. Denny’s always been active, but he hasn’t always been so healthy. Find out how he used Healthy Incentives^SM  to put together a supporting cast that helped him star in a healthier life.

For King County Superior Court Judge Andrea Darvas it’s the recent purchase of a bicycle that put a little more zip in her life. It’s how Darvas gets to and from work at the Maleng Regional Justice Center everyday, and a big part of how she manages both her physical and mental health as she works to serve the people of King County.

After his doctor told him he was at risk for diabetes DDES Engineer Donald Gauthier and his wife Jan decided to use Healthy Incentives^SM as a springboard to better health. But Don’s regimen took on even greater importance when a more urgent health crisis entered the scene. In this video Don talks about how his “spartner” Jan and DDES co-workers in Renton rallied to support this 21-year King County veteran’s battle with cancer.