To celebrate Doctor’s Day, Northwest Health - La Porte honored the doctors on its medical staff with a donation of $5,000 check to the La Porte Parks Department’s Chessie Trail Project. CEO of Northwest Health - La Porte Keith Nichols shared that the hospital staff worked with the providers on its medical staff to benefit the La Porte community through a long-lasting, meaningful gift.
“We went to the providers and suggested ways to celebrate Doctors’ Day and they loved the idea of supporting a La Porte County community in their honor,” Nichols said. “They're very engaged in the community and they want to support it. We wanted to not just give a gift to the community, but also wondered how we could give back in a way that supports our cause for our Doctor's Day celebration and leave a legacy.”
Through this donation, Northwest Health - La Porte will be supporting healthy lifestyles in the La Porte community. The Chessie trail expansion is another opportunity for people to get outside, be active, and stay healthy long-term. Making the Chessie Trail available to the public allows Northwest Health - La Porte to improve the health of the community.
While Northwest Health - La Porte is eager to serve those who come through its front doors, Medical Staff President Dr. Irfan Ahmad noted that eliminating the need for medical assistance is even better. The development of the Chessie Trail will add an avenue for people to be proactive in taking care of themselves outside of the hospital and perhaps even avoid chronic illness and hospital stays.
“The trail is something that everyone can use, and that's nice. We’re still promoting health for people who are doing great outside of the hospital, and we’re promoting bringing the community together, too,” Ahmad said.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. James Leonard is appreciative of Northwest Health - La Porte’s partnership and shared vision with the City of La Porte on this project. He praised all the work being done by La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody and his office to further community wellness.
“We're excited to see the Chessie move north where we're connecting to Michigan City. People will literally be able to bike from here to Michigan City, jump on the South Shore if they want to go to Chicago, and do that all in reverse,” Dermody said. “None of this would happen without our great partnership with Northwest Health, so thank you.”
With the dedication of the medical staff and leadership at Northwest Health - La Porte, Leonard believes that this donation lines up perfectly with the spirit of Doctors’ Day and will have a meaningful, direct impact on the people of La Porte.
“Hats off to our medical staff and its leadership for taking the annual Doctors’ Day celebration and applying it to what's best for our community,” Leonard said. “Our medical staff is all about patient health, well-being, and good outcomes, and this helps support that directly.”
To learn more about Northwest Health - La Porte’s donations to the community, visit nwhealthlaporte.com.
