Chapter Honors Top Program Partners at Annual Meeting

November 7, 2008

Two local organizations recently received the highest honor that the chapter presents to programs partners, the Arthritis Foundation Circle of Excellence. These two organizations are the first two groups to receive the designation as a Circle of Excellence organization and are being held up as examples to other partners with whom the chapter works.



John Knox Village is a long time programming partner with the chapter, offering AF Exercise and AF Aquatic Exercise classes on a regular basis, the AF Self Help Course periodically, hosting AF public education programs annually, and participating in AF development activities like the Arthritis Walk and the Jingle Bell Run. “John Knox Village has consistently focused on providing a variety of programs for people with arthritis and has partnered with the organization in so many ways to bring its residents the latest in quality education and information about arthritis and ways to better manage the disease,” explained Chapter President Brad Ziegler. “We are proud to recognize their commitment to people with arthritis with this award.”



Mid-America Rehabilitation Hospital is the other inaugural honoree with the Circle of Excellence designation. As a host to a variety of AF exercise programs over the years, Mid-America Rehab has recognized the value of these programs to their constituents. More recently, they have begun to host AF Self Help Courses and are hosting a Tai Chi program leader training in early 2009. Mid-America Rehab also supports the chapter development events as a sponsor, and through their staff, as participants. Debbie Cooper, chapter Director of Health and Exercise, has worked closely with Mid America Rehab for a number of years, noting “we are so pleased at how Mid-America Rehabilitation Hospital has continued to deepen their relationship with the chapter and in doing so, has added so many arthritis programming options for those that they serve.” The local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation works with dozens of programming partners throughout the chapter area in many different ways, and hopes to recognize more Circle of Excellence partners in the future.