The way to a man’s health in Gordon County is through Spirit of Women at Gordon Hospital!

The same program that has helped educate local women on various health issues through fun and interactive programs now turns its attention to the men through Grills, Guys and Good Health. The event is planned for 2 p.m. Sunday, August 22 at the Calhoun High School football stadium.

“Our Spirit of Women program has been so successful in helping women lead healthier lives,” says Amy Jordon, chief nursing officer for Gordon Hospital, “we want to make good health easier and more accessible to men, too.”

At the free event, male attendees will gather under a big tent to see a grilling demonstration on healthy tailgating recipes by Gordon Hospital nutrition experts. At the same time, their wives, girlfriends, sisters, mothers, or daughters will be on the football field with local high school coaches and players learning the basics of the game.

While the event is free, complete with free gifts, registration is required due to space limitations. Please call 706-879-4764 to reserve your spot for Grills, Guys, and Good Health.

Childcare will also be provided. Gordon EMS paramedics and EMTs will look after the youngsters, who will be able to play on a 22-foot wet slide! Parents should plan on bringing a change of clothes for their kids, as well as themselves. Adults will also be allowed to cool off on the slide!

“This event – like our previous Spirit of Women events – promises to be a lot of fun, and this one also includes activities for the whole family,” said Karen Shaw, Spirit of Women coordinator for Gordon Hospital. “While the men are grilling, the women will be able to toss around the football and even attempt a field goal. We will have fun activities to keep the children occupied as well.”

Coaches from Calhoun, Gordon Central and Sonoraville high schools have all agreed to help with the event.

“We are so grateful to have participation from all of our local high schools,” Shaw added. “Coaches Hal Lamb, Chad Fisher, and Chuck King, along with some of their players, will help the women attendees better understand the game of football so that they may better enjoy viewing it with their families.”

While learning to create tasty (and healthy!) tailgating dishes, the male attendees will also receive free informational guidelines to engage them with Gordon Hospital and their doctors to decide which screening tests are right for them.

“While most men make time to throw the ball around or fire up the barbecue, they often do not make the time for recommended medical screening tests,” Jordon said. “Grills, Guys and Good Health is an event aimed to help them easily understand which medical screenings they need and when. Unlike diagnostic tests, which clinicians order when they suspect someone has a disease, screening tests help check for problems before there are symptoms.”

In addition to other free gifts, the men will receive a panel card that includes recommendations about cholesterol checks, tests for high blood pressure, colorectal cancer, diabetes, depression, sexually transmitted diseases and prostate cancer. It also provides tips about other things men can do to stay healthy, such as making healthier food choices and exercising.

Gordon Hospital is only the second hospital in Georgia to join the Spirit of Women national network of hospitals dedicated to improving women’s lives with innovative health and community programs. Spirit of Women Hospitals touch the lives of millions of women each year through the presentation of educational events, consumer membership programs, annual conferences, marketing communications and grassroots efforts to improve the health and well-being of women everywhere. Spirit of Women enables participating hospitals to focus on community needs while providing the strength of national support.