Healthy West Orange was established in 2016 by the West Orange Healthcare District with the goal to make West Orange the healthiest community in the nation. HWO is 100% focused on improving health and wellness in West Orange County. Their grassroots movement is more than a slogan or marketing campaign. It has become a comprehensive community force of unified resources working together to create well-being with healthy lifestyles.
From solving health challenges and creating new lifestyle opportunities to providing free health screenings at festivals, farmer’s markets, and community events with health education and inspiration, they are all about engaging the community to build a positive mindset of health and happiness. Healthy West Orange began when the West Orange Healthcare District brought together community members, leaders, and subject matter experts to envision what the goal of being the “healthiest community in the nation” really entails. They decided to focus on three pillars which include eating well, staying active, and enjoying life. There was a lot of discussion around naming the movement, and some thought that ‘Healthy’ implied they had already arrived. In the end, it was agreed that there was something aspirational in boldly stating their end vision while defining themselves as Healthy West Orange.
Healthy West Orange takes pride in being active members of the local community who are working, living, and playing here in West Orange County. COO Lesa Boettcher notes, “We are inspired by the residents we see and engage with. Whether it’s the person who completed their first 5K run with us or the family who decided to cook a healthy, nutritious dinner together because of a recipe we shared. Our ability to inspire our community to have fun while working towards becoming the healthiest community in the nation provides our daily motivation.”
Special Healthy West Orange Services & Events: HWO is quite special and unique. Lesa Boettcher shares, “We are a community force for well-being, focused on sharing information, education, tools, and supportive connections to help empower people to eat well, stay active, and enjoy life. We aren’t selling products or offering any single magic bullet to better health. Just look at our HUBB Resource Center.” They are actively involved with community outreach by participating in many local festivals and events. HUBB is where residents can connect directly with local service providers as an online 24/7/365 community resource with added telephone support four days a week. From education and fitness classes to food or affordable housing assistance, it’s like command central for comprehensively resourcing anything and everything for complete health and well-being here in West Orange County. HWO hosts four large virtual challenges every year, two 5Ks, a dance challenge and a splash challenge where residents can win prizes just by making healthy and fun choices for themselves and their families. In addition, they host partnered events with groups like the YMCA, Bloom, and Grow Garden Society and an annual Healthy Selfie photo and video campaign.
Tracy Swanson is CEO of the West Orange Healthcare District. Working with a 16-member volunteer board appointed by the Governor of Florida, she has overseen more than $180 million of investments in community grants to enhance residents’ health and wellness. Leveraging her professional career experiences as a Disney Human Resource executive and early career business strategist, she works with the community and healthcare wellness stakeholders to build enduring collaborative relationships that support health and wellness. Swanson also leads the Foundation for a Healthier West Orange, established to ensure ongoing, sustainable support to make West Orange County the healthiest community in the nation.
Lesa Boettcher, COO, has been with the Healthy West Orange team since 2018. She brings a diverse professional background and skillset in finding community-engaged approaches to improve the health and well-being of the community. She spent almost a decade specializing in public education after starting her career in communications, marketing, and advertising for non-profit and private sectors. Boettcher adds, “Our talented and versatile team includes five full-time and two part-time staff with a team of volunteers and summer interns.”
Winter Events. January will be a big month for Healthy West Orange. They have Westly’s 5th Annual Virtual 5K. This is an event where residents can complete on their own and in any way they desire. Participation can be by walking, running, biking, or swimming throughout the month. Participants will earn a Westly’s race shirt and medal. Participants can also join HWO for a live 5K, being planned to be held in conjunction with their upcoming Fresh Start Festival with the Town of Oakland. Details will be available on social media and their website.
Extra Connections: HWO proudly works with local hospitals and wellness experts. They have strong ties and relationships with Shepherds Hope and Community Health Centers. The HWO healthcare partners are their trusted experts. Healthy West Orange offers partnered workshops and classes in conjunction with their healthcare and service partners, usually as a part of their festivals and events. Still, under construction, their new Healthy West Orange Buildingwill soon be open to the public. Their HUBB Resource Center is on the first floor and will be opening soon for appointments. This building will become a central location and epicenter for community engagement.
Healthy West Orange is empowered by the Foundation for a Healthier West Orange, which invests in and champions initiatives that support community health and well-being. Besides Orlando Health and the Observer Media Group as Founding Champions, they have added many other great partners.
Healthy West Orange is located at 1200 East Plant Street in Winter Garden, FL 34787. Call 407-337-6919, visit their website at healthywestorange.org, and follow them on Facebook @healthywestorange
