History:
HealthWorks! has been infectiously contaminating kids of all ages since our doors first opened in February 2000. About two years earlier the leadership of Memorial Health System and Memorial Health Foundation, inspired by Memorial’s vision of becoming the healthiest community in the nation, began dreaming about a bold, new and innovative way to reach kids. They knew that new and different approaches were needed to give kids the passion and courage to lead inspired and healthy lives. They also knew that they didn’t know a lot about how to do this… but they boldly moved forward, learning at the speed of light as they visited dozens of facilities and joined forces with many experts from both our local community and from across the country. Very quickly, the vision changed from dream to reality with the development and creation of HealthWorks!, a one of a kind place that merges the best of both worlds from children’s museums and health education centers with our own creative spin. Today, we are the educational arm of Memorial Children’s Hospital and over half a million people have experienced our irresistible health edutainment through field trips, community outreach programs, birthday parties, special events, and general admission visits. And though our facility is important, HealthWorks! is really about people and the way we interact.

Purpose Statement: HealthWorks! purpose is “Infectiously contaminating kids of all ages, everywhere, to learn, have fun, and make great life choices. Let the epidemic begin!”

Replication Information: We are pleased to report that the epidemic has begun, and that many across the nation have caught the HealthWorks! bug – there have been outbreaks in places as far-ranging as Everett, Washington, High Point, North Carolina, and Tupelo, Mississippi. In fact, things have gotten serious in Mississippi, where the first HealthWorks! full scale replication is underway and HealthWorks! North Mississippi is scheduled to open its doors in January 2009. This new facility has been developed in partnership between Memorial Health System and North Mississippi Medical Center, and seeks to capitalize on the learning that the staff of HealthWorks! have undergone during their first eight and a half years of operation. Once open, staff members from both entities will be in close contact, sharing their learning and creativity yet operating independently and retaining their own unique character.

Is your community ready to be infected? There are many ways a HealthWorks! outbreak can spread. Replication opportunities include:

• Full scale HealthWorks! facility
• HealthWorks! area in an existing facility
• Licensing HealthWorks! exhibits
• Licensing and becoming trained to deliver HealthWorks! original field trip programs
• Licensing and becoming trained to deliver HealthWorks! original camps, activities and events

We are interested in working with you to help you determine the best ‘contaminant’ for your community and organization. To learn more about this, please contact Rebecca Zakowski, HealthWorks! Chief Infection Agent.

Let the Epidemic Begin!

For more information, contact Becky Zakowski, R.N., c/o HealthWorks! Kids’ Museum,
111 W. Jefferson, Ste. 200,
South Bend Indiana 46601
Phone: 574-647-KIDS
Or Contact Us for more information