10 to watch in 2018: Alyssa Smith of Healthy Rowan

SALISBURY — Alyssa Smith says one of her favorite poems is “Daffodils” by E.E. Cummings. The very first line is special to her: “In time of daffodils (who know / the goal of living is to grow).” Growing is a fitting motif for the executive director of Healthy Rowan, a community coalition that was revitalized in 2014.…

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‘Queens and Kings’ dance group make exercise fun for seniors

SALISBURY — Crystal Miller had never danced before she started coming to the biweekly meetings of the Dancing Queens and Kings of Salisbury. “I love it. I love learning with them,” she said. Because the group is oriented toward people over 55, Miller — who is in her 40s — is the youngest member of…

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Overton students receive almost 400 pairs of new running shoes

SALISBURY — Magic was in the air for students at Overton Elementary School on Monday afternoon. Teachers and administrators wore pajamas, Santa was comfortably seated in front of the gym and the Polar Express conductor punched tickets for every student to enter. Once inside, they all got hot chocolate, Christmas cookies and a reading of “The…

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Chamber breakfast speaker encourages collaboration in community health

SALISBURY — What if Rowan County businesses offered physical activity breaks instead of smoke breaks? Healthy Rowan Executive Director Alyssa Smith asked that question of a Chamber of Commerce crowd Thursday. Smith was the featured speaker at Thursday’s Rowan County Chamber of Commerce breakfast. Her organization is a collaboration among 25 local organizations that aims…

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Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas Adds Five New Communities

Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas aims to dramatically improve community health and health outcomes—focusing specifically on nutrition, physical activity and prevention of chronic disease.  The Duke Endowment has made an initial investment of $450,000 in each community to support the coalition over the next three years and has tasked Improvement Partners with leading the initiative in…

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Healthy Rowan to take part in Duke Endowment initiative

Organization will receive $450,000 to help improve health in Rowan County over three years  By Healthy Rowan SALISBURY — A $450,000 grant from The Duke Endowment over three years is expected to help improve health in Rowan County. Healthy Rowan, a group of community organizations working collaboratively on health issues, was awarded the grant and…

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Novant Health, Healthy Rowan, Center For Prevention Services Team Up To Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse

SALISBURY – Visitors to the county fair and Autumn Jubilee may have noticed a couple of health organizations at one booth instead of three this year. Novant Health Rowan Medical Center, Healthy Rowan and Center for Prevention Services teamed up to spread the word on preventing prescription drug abuse and overdose. The Center for Prevention Services is a…

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Alyssa Smith to champion Rowan health

For The Salisbury Post Her name: Alyssa Smith. Her mission: To get you healthy. Smith, 26, is the new executive director for Healthy Rowan, a newly revitalized countywide effort. “We’re working together to identify and improve our citizens’ health,” says Krista Woolly, executive director of the Community Care Clinic, and a member of the Healthy…

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