Cindy Coburn-Smith
Spreading Wellness in the Community
What is health? Is it a low body-fat percentage? Is it eating yogurt? Is it forcing yourself to go on a walk with the dog? Is it the desperate consumption of fish oil capsules after you just scarfed a quarter-pounder with cheese?
Cindy Coburn-Smith has a better definition of health. And she should know; as coordinator of the LifeFit Community Health Promotion Programs of Beaufort Memorial Hospital, it's her job to think about this stuff and share her conclusions with the public.
"The whole concept of wellness is not just your body," said Cindy. "It's mental, spiritual, social, emotional and physical health."
Though she admits to enjoying the occasional fried shrimp-how could you not in the Lowcountry?-Cindy's general policy is to eat healthy, get sufficient rest, be as active as possible and surround herself with positive things. The result is an overwhelmingly great outlook on life and an exuberant energy that she pours into her work, with the intention of transmitting all that is known about human health to the residents of Beaufort and Jasper Counties.
Before coming to work at Beaufort Memorial in 1997, Cindy's professional career had been entirely in the realm of education. She was a middle and high school teacher, even being named Teacher of the Year in Charleston County. It was after receiving this award that she decided to shift gears and enter the medical world.
"I've been in an extreme learning curve the last few years because I've never worked in a health care environment before," she said. "But one of the things that I like about my job is that since I have experience in the classroom, I am able to use my educational skills to promote programs and resources to the community. I'm always interested in trying to find ways to live a longer, healthier life."
As part of LifeFit, Cindy focuses her attention on issues like the prevention of chronic diseases, prenatal care, the growing problem of obesity and encouragement of young people to go into healthcare-related careers. Some aspects of LifeFit include speaking engagements, health fairs, hospital tours, screening programs and the publication of educational pamphlets. Cindy is particularly proud of the CHiP/Mobile Wellness Unit, a 40-foot truck decorated with lively artwork that travels around the area providing wellness education and free or low-cost health screenings.
"This has been a gift for people in the community who have to worry about cost," said Cindy, recognizing the dilemma many people have when it comes to seeking health care. "If they can pay on a sliding scale fee, that's a lot better than not getting treatment at all."
Ultimately, Cindy considers herself a repository of information relating to health and wellness. She is familiar with or connected to just about every organization that exists in this area for the purpose of promoting good health, and she relishes the opportunity to make this information available to people in need.
"I think the biggest compliment I can get is when someone calls to ask me a question," she said. "I like being considered a community resource, and when people ask me for healthcare information, it means that they trust me."
Up Close
Hometown: Isle of Palms Family includes: husband Brad; son Ellison, 16; and dog Spot Hobbies: spending time with friends and family, taking pictures, appreciating music Guilty pleasure: dark chocolate Starts her day: with a few floor exercises Number of health-related committees she served on last year: 28 - "That got a little crazy." Inspirational figure: her father, a WWII veteran and POW who spent 40 months in a Japanese prison camp. According to Cindy, he never became resentful or lost his love for eating rice. He went on to become "the most gentle, compassionate, intelligent man who never said an unkind word about anyone." He took correspondence courses right up until his death at age 85 because that's how much he loved to learn.