Ideas That Work: Fitting In Fitness

Last winter, our hospital’s surgical department closed and the entire outpatient surgery team was displaced to work in COVID-19 units. To boost spirits and morale when we returned to the OR, I planned a Step into Spring challenge for the month of March. We challenged staff to complete 10,000 steps a day (you can track your steps on smartphone pedometer apps) and had them pay a dollar for each day they failed to meet the goal. In just one month, 20 participants totaled 4,974,000 steps! The winner of the month-long challenge walked away with bragging rights and the money collected from participants who didn’t reach the daily steps goal. We started a group text chain to encourage each other and share pictures of the beautiful places we walked or hiked. Everyone’s spirits seemed higher and the team has become much closer, thanks to the bonds we formed during the challenge. 

Oscar Maldonado 
PIH Health Downey Hospital
Downey, Calif.
[email protected]