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The results are in! The third annual UPMC Susquehanna Weight Loss Challenge has wrapped up, and the results are impressive!

During the 2017 Weight Loss Challenge—which spanned fourteen weeks and included 779 individual participants divided into teams of ten—the total weight loss added up to 2,950.5 pounds.

Home Page correspondent Sara Vogt had the opportunity to speak with a number of individuals involved with the Challenge, starting with UPMC Susquehanna Supervisor of Health and Wellness | Employee Health, Jerrod Ferrence, who was pleased to announce that the Soldiers + Sailors Memorial Hospital (SSMH) team, “The Fat and the Furious,” were the champions in the most pounds lost category with 155.5 pounds shed during the course of the event. Soldiers + Sailors Memorial Hospital walked away with the Weight Loss Challenge leadership team win, as well. Recognized for losing the highest percentage of body fat was the Williamsport Regional Medical Center’s (WRMC) “Cake Walk” team. Each member of the winning teams receives a paid day off of work as a reward for their hard work and dedication.

Sara also spoke with the captain of the winning SSMH team, Dani Hillyard, RT, who shared her enthusiasm for “The Fat and the Furious” team win; and who was praised by team members as being an effective leader who contributed greatly to their success.

“The Fat and the Furious” team member Jason Richards, CNMT, Nuclear Medicine, lost the most weight in the challenge, shedding 29 pounds. He explained how the weight loss has helped him to feel better and to sleep better. Finally, Sara spoke with MRI technician Raymond Sprouse, Jr., RT, who said that his co-workers had asked him to be a part of the team and that he worked on changing his eating habits—cutting out fried foods, candy and soda. Incidentally, all members of this team work in radiology at SSMH.

Back, from left: Dr. Enrico Doganiero, Chad Tennis, Ray Sprouse, Jason Richards, Kelly Barth, and Janie Hilfiger
Front, from left: Emily Tice, Danielle “Dani” Hillyard, Carrie Perry, Carissa Lewis and Heather Fay

Other winners of note include Stephanie Helsel from WRMC’s “Meltaways” who lost the most weight overall; and Vicki Corbin from Divine Providence Hospital (DPH) who lost the highest individual body fat percentage. Each won a FITBIT for being the best in these categories. “IN IT to WIN IT” (Information Technology team, WRMC) and “Keeping Up With the Lardashians” (Pharmacy team, SSMH) won for the best team names. For their creativity, each team member was rewarded with two free months of Virtual YMCA.

The Weight Loss Challenge has been held for three years with a total of 11,124.5 pounds shed as service partners improve their lifestyles, live healthier lives and walk the talk of UPMC Susquehanna, setting a good example for the communities they serve.

On a related note, Home Page also spoke with three educators from Employee Health & Wellness who explained the new challenge offered through their Employee Health Facebook group. The Macro Challenge runs from now through the end of May and includes weekly motivation, tips and information, how-to videos on topics including nutrition, meal planning and more. First, Sara spoke with Sharon Belvin who explained that the macronutrients are fat, protein and carbohydrates. Ashley Geiser then told us how they were going to track those nutrients by using the MyFitnessPal app or by creating an account using myfitnesspal.com. Finally, Erin McMurray talked about how individuals can use the app in various ways depending on their fitness goals. While the app is available to the public, UPMC Susquehanna service partners have special access to educators who are available to assist with questions or concerns.

Congratulations to everyone who took part in the 2017 Weight Loss Challenge and to the winning teams—Soldiers+ Sailors Memorial Hospital’s “The Fat and the Furious,” and Williamsport Regional Medical Center’s “Cake Walk”!

Top Five Teams: Pounds Lost
1. The Fat and the Furious, SSMH = 155.5lbs
2. Calorie Crusaders, MVH = 127lbs
3. The Beast and Beauties, MVH = 121.5lbs
4. Tachycadie Take Down, WRMC = 112lbs
5. Cell-U-Light, DPH = 99lbs

Top Five Teams: Percent Body Fat Loss
1. Cake Walk, WRMC = 25.8%
2. Mission Slim Possible 2, WRMC = 24.1%
3. The Beast and Beauties, MVH = 22.9%
4. IN IT to WIN IT, WRMC = 22.1%
5. Thighsman Trophies, WRMC = 20.8%

*Joining for the first time in the three years of the weight loss challenge were the leadership teams for all of the campuses of UPMC Susquehanna. The winning leadership team was the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital team, which consisted of Ann Doane, Tracy Manning, Janie Hilfiger, Gordie Dunlap, Gretchen Regina, Michelle Bowers, Stacy Tom and Andrew “Andy” Tom.

On Wednesday, May 10 – the two winning teams of Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital celebrated together with a healthy catered lunch at the hospital.