Partner organizations find health in Go for Bold

Go for Bold is a community effort to lose 1 million pounds by 2030, and more than just individual community members have joined the effort.

More than 90 corporate and organization partners have also encouraged their employees to become part of the program.

“One of the things we tell people who participate in Go for Bold is to believe in themselves, and one way to do that is by connecting with a person who has a similar purpose as you,” said Beth Fields Dowdell, DNP, CRNP, director of Community Health and Outpatient Care Management at Meritus Health.

“By engaging corporate and organization partners, we build in that group participation, which can lead to successful outcomes.”

The Go for Bold initiative was started by Healthy Washington County, a coalition of public and private organizations, including Meritus, with a mission to strengthen the health and wellness of our community and residents.

The initiative was sparked after a Community Health Needs Assessment found Washington County residents had high rates of chronic illness, such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, among others.

To reach the 1 million pounds lost goal by 2030, the program encourages activity, healthy diet and accountability. So far, more than 169,600 pounds have been lost, according to the program’s online weight tracker.

By visiting healthywashingtoncounty.com/goforbold, users will find tools to help them lose weight. Those tools tend to focus around activity, diet and mental health — or do, eat, believe.

Groups and businesses that have been part of the initiative since the start are touting their success.

“The Washington County Commission on Aging, Inc. is proud to share our staff’s remarkable commitment to the Go for Bold Initiative from its inception, which has led to a collective weight loss of 1,127 pounds as a team,” said Amy Olack, CEO of the WCCOA, one of the partner organizations.

Olack attributed WCCOA’s success with the program to a work culture that encourages health habits and overall well-being. Staff has free, after-hours access to an on-site gym, outdoor fitness equipment, walking paths and a reflexology path.

“Our Wellness Committee plays a vital role in fostering a culture of health by encouraging team members to engage in regular exercise, adopt healthier eating habits, and participate in wellness challenges throughout the year,” Olack said. “The committee also provides helpful reminders to stay hydrated and take walking breaks, reinforcing the importance of consistent, small steps toward better health.”

Washington County Public Schools is another partner organization, which has lost a total of 1,641 pounds since it joined the program.

“As WCPS is one of the largest employers in Washington County, we feel we could and can continue to reach a good number of people to participate and strengthen the health and wellness of the Washington County community and residents,” said Kathleen Boyer, coordinator of human resources: employee benefits.

The school system incentivizes employees monthly to participate in Go for Bold, Boyer said. The number of participants is growing.

“In November 2024, we won an award at the Go for Bold celebration for being one of the organizational partners with the most improvement in our efforts to Go for Bold,” Boyer said. “That, to me, shows we have gained more employee participation, communicated the initiative better, and worked towards our goal of being a healthier workplace and community.”

Olack said that while everyone’s health journey is unique, it’s important to support each other with encouragement and positivity.

“Our shared commitment has strengthened our team and improved our overall health, empowering us to serve our community with greater energy and focus,” she said.

To learn more about becoming a partner organization in Go for Bold, visit healthywashingtoncounty.com/goforbold, then scroll down to and click on “Partner Resources.”