It’s long been said that women everywhere are easily allured by jewelry.
So for the everyday selfless woman, Centegra Health System has launched the Add-a-Pearl Program to “bribe” her into health screenings such as an annual physical or bone-density exam, to general wellness in the form of spa massages and fitness classes.
Starting March 1, women can enroll in the program and start collecting single pearls for attending any of the 15 approved Centegra appointments.
The program was presented Thursday at the fifth annual Centegra Health Strong Woman Event at the Holiday Inn in Crystal Lake. All 545 attendees were given a single 9 mm to 10 mm freshwater cultured pearl from Crystal Lake-based Dalzell & Co. to start a keepsake necklace.
“It’s an exciting program to motivate women in the area to be proactive in their health care. And we want them to leave here educated and energized,” Centegra spokeswoman Kim Kubiak said. “We’re saying, ‘Don’t forget about yourself.’ ”
The white Honora pearls are valued at $5 each, Dalzell & Co. Vice President Jennifer Dalzell said.
A majority of the 27 exhibits at the event were Centegra-operated, including a booth for Health Bridge Fitness Center that offered chair massages, and screening booths dedicated to diabetes, bone density, stroke risks, blood pressure, and heart health.
There also was a booth to promote Centegra’s vision for the Centegra Hospital in Huntley, with representatives asking for signatures of support.
The most popular exhibit was the custom bra fittings offered by outside vendor Essential Bodywear, where Colleen Schmitt, 51, of Johnsburg, waited in line with her 73-year-old mother as well as her best friend, Dawn Cynowa.
“I’m worried about my mother. This was a way to nonchalantly help her make sure she’s healthy because she hates doctors,” Schmitt said. “And it’s a good day to be with my mommy and my best friend.”
As a breast cancer survivor, Cynowa, also 51, of Spring Grove, said she valued herself enough to care about her health.
“You need to know all the plumbing works OK,” Cynowa said. “We take care of our kids all our lives, so now it’s time.”
During the sit-down lunch of wraps, fruit salad and chocolate-dipped strawberries, experts focusing on menopause, breast health, and sleep issues spoke and took questions from the audience.
The keynote speaker was Joan Steffend, former host of the HGTV show “Decorating Cents.” Steffend read from her book “... and she sparkled” and talked about balance and overall wellness, happiness and inner peace. She also was promoting the educational and humanitarian peace project titled, Peace Begins with Me.
“[Centegra’s] got the clinical stuff, I’m talking about mind-spirit health,” Steffend said in an interview before the event. “It’s about being the best you can be.”
