'Be Dazzling' appeals to Spirit of Women

Marci Crozier, regional director of marketing and sales for Franciscan Omni Health and Fitness - Schererville, served as mistress of ceremonies for “Be Dazzling,” a free offering of Franciscan Alliance’s Spirit of Women program, a community health education effort, which took place Nov. 8 at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton. Nearly 300 people were on hand.

Attendees took advantage of health screenings for varicose veins, bone density, blood pressure and blood glucose. Health information also was offered at a Dessert with the Docs segment. A photo booth and professional bra-fitting were available, along with shopping, gifts and refreshments.

Franciscan Omni Health’s Crozier receives Indiana Chamber Volunteer of the Year honor

Marci Crozier’s dedication to sharing her inspiring wellness journey and her work on behalf of the Wellness Council of Indiana earned her an Indiana Chamber of Commerce 2012 Volunteer of the Year award during a recent ceremony at the Indiana Convention Center.

Wellness is more than a way of life for Crozier – it’s a passion. When the Wellness Council of Indiana was established in the 1980s, she was an early contributor and volunteer. She’s spent nearly 30 years working at Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness - Schererville, currently as regional director of marketing and sales. After chronicling her nearly 80-pound weight loss on the popular NBC television show, The Biggest Loser, she began empowering others with the story of her path to physical and spiritual health at speaking engagements and to Wellness Council audiences.

“There’s a word many people to use to describe Marci – compassionate. Combined with her wellness knowledge and experience, the sky is truly the limit when it comes to making a positive impact on people’s lives,” says Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar. “Her dedication to helping others improve their well-being is simply inspiring.”

Crozier said the recognition extends beyond her, to Franciscan Alliance.

“It was my privilege to accept this recognition on behalf of the Sisters of Saint Francis, each and every one of them, and our Franciscan Alliance organization. When you are surrounded by such compassionate people, it just seems natural to want to give back. I am grateful for the opportunities that my position at Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness has given me to encourage and motivate Northwest Indiana and the state of Indiana citizens to want to live a healthier lifestyle.”

Ball of Strength Helps Participants Get in Shape

Participants in Franciscan Alliance's monthly Franciscanfit Mallwalkers program at Westfield Southlake Mall on April 25 received a lesson in how use of a mini-ball can help boost core body strength.

Jane Bogordos, fitness supervisor for Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness centers, demonstrated numerous techniques to participants.

Blood pressure screenings also were offered by Barbara Neely, a cardiac rehabilitation technician at Franciscan St. Margaret Health - Hammond, and by Christy Cleveland, a registered nurse in that unit.

The program takes place on the fourth Thursday of each month on the mall's lower level, outside of the JC Penney store.

For more information, call (219) 931-3322.

For more photos of this event, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/FranciscanNWI.

Omni Health & Fitness Open House - March 18

Franciscan Omni Health and Fitness will host their annual Spring Open House on Sunday, March 18, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Chesterton location and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Schererville location. Come "Catch the Spirit" as we celebrate at both facilities! We will be offering free tours of our state-of-the-art facilities, raffles for free memberships and prizes totaling over $1,000. Plus, the opportunity in our Grand Prize Raffle to win, a free Week at a Biggest Loser Fitness Ridge Resort. ($3,500 value!) Healthy refreshments and snacks are being provided by Radisson Hotel and Aquafina.

Brett Hoebel
Biggest Loser Season 11

Celebrity appearances by Brett Hoebel, Biggest Loser unknown trainer, Season 11, Jessica and Ramon contestants from Biggest Loser Season 12, and our local favorite celebrities: Courtney and Marci Crozier, contestants from Biggest Loser Season 11. Come out and experience a Group Personal Training Classes lead by Brett himself! The class will be offered at noon at our Chesterton facility (810 Michael Drive) and at 3 p.m. at the Schererville location (221 U.S. HWY 41, Suite A).  A Celebrity Meet & Greet will follow the GPT demo class at both locations. For a limited time, guests will have an opportunity to take photos and gather autographs.

The fun and excitement will not stop there. Omni will feature newly decorated Spirit of Women areas in both clubs. Guests will also be welcomed to stop in for a free Thin & Healthy's Total Solution Orientation being held at 1:15 p.m. and again at 2:15 p.m. at each facility and learn how this program has helped our members lose over 7200 pounds.

Omni Schererville will launch a new WATER IN MOTION class at 2 p.m. that members and guests are welcome to attend and participate in, so please remember to bring your suits!

Raffle drawings will conclude the day at both locations with winning entries being returned to the Grand Prize Drawing for a free one week stay at a Biggest Loser Fitness Ridge Resort to be held on Monday, March 19, at the Schererville location at 1 p.m. Celebrities Jessica and Ramon will pull the lucky winner.

Mallwalkers Learn How to "Move Those Muscles"

Video highlights from the October 2011 FranciscanFIt Mallwalkers event.

Jane Bogordos and Julia Ladewski, certified instructors at Omni Health & Fitness in Schererville, taught exercise and stretching techniques you can do at home that will build your strength, boost your metabolism, increase your endurance and make you excited about working out.

Free muscle assessments were also offered by Omni Health & Fitness.

The program, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana, takes place from 8 to 10 a.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month on the mall’s lower level, outside of the JC Penney store.

For more information, call (219) 931-3322.

"Move Those Muscles" - Mallwalkers Event Oct. 26

"Move Those Muscles" is the presentation topic for the next Franciscanfit -- Steps to Good Health monthly Mallwalkers program.

The free event, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana and Westfield Southlake mall, is scheduled for 8 to 10 a.m. Oct. 26.

The public is invited to attend a 9 a.m. presentation of the program theme offered by Jane Bogordos and Julia Ladewski, certified instructors at Omni Health and Fitness in Schererville. Learn about group exercise techniques that will boost your metabolism, increase your endurance and make you excited about working out.

Muscle assessments will also be offered.

New Mallwalkers members are welcome to register for the program, which takes place on the mall's lower level, outside of JC Penney, on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Regular walkers hours are 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 to 11 a.m. Sundays.

For more information, call (800) 931-3322.

Two Wellness Centers In One

Franciscan Alliance partners Omni, Duneland locations

Omni 41 Health and Fitness Connection in Schererville and Duneland Health and Fitness Institute in Chesterton have merged to form Franciscan Omni Health and Fitness-Chesterton and Schererville. Both are under the auspices of Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana Region.

"We have regionalized our wellness centers to create growth and efficiency in their staffing, facilities and programs," said Sharon Sporman, Northern Indiana Region executive director-wellness centers, adding, "Memberships are reciprocal; Schererville members now have access to Chesterton and vice versa."

Members were notified of the merger in September.

The partnership comes on the heels of the facilities recently becoming the first of their kind to achieve International Organization of Standardization 9001:2008 certification.

"The ISO process provides Franciscan Omni Health and Fitness a pathway to build a stronger foundation for our operations and enables us to deliver a high-quality product to our members and the community that we serve," Sporman said.

ISO is the world's largest developer of international standards that have been instituted in 162 nations. ISO certification, which is achieved following requested audits of practices, assures a quality management system that provides a foundation of best practices, resulting in highest-quality services.

Gene Diamond, CEO of Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana Region, called the certifications "a milestone," and applauded the merger.

"Our members expect us to provide high-quality facilities, programs and services, but we're committed to offering them added value in the form of late-breaking advances tailored to meet their specific health and wellness needs. It's our mission. We think it makes us unique."     

What Franciscan Omni Health and Fitness locations offer:

The Chesterton location, 810 Michael Drive, is a comprehensive destination for wellness needs. Fitness memberships include access to state-of-the-art facilities, including a warm water therapy pool, Olympic pool, locker rooms with full amenities, massage therapy, a workout area, complete with cardio and strength equipment; and more than 65 group exercise classes per week (land and aqua included in membership fee). It also offers Kidzone, a safe place where children can play and stay while their parents work out.

The Chesterton location also hosts a number of programs and events throughout the year that cater to client needs. It prides itself on a world-class/professional staff that provides as much, or as little, hands-on attention to each member as needed, keeping individual desired results in mind. Onsite physical therapy and physician offices round out a comprehensive approach to aid those who are in need of medical attention and services. 

For more information, call (219) 983-9832 or visit www.franciscanalliance.org/omni.

The Schererville location, 221 U.S. 41, offers services in one location that include physician offices, rehabilitation services through the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, chiropractic services, weight-loss and fitness programs, Vanis salon and day spa, a White Sox baseball training academy, Parisi Speed School, a sports performance training center; a playroom for children and a soon-to-open Family Entertainment Center.

Fitness services include:

• More than 80 group exercise classes per week.
• A more than 18,000-square-foot Fitness Center that includes cardio, strength training, a Pilates studio, personal and group training; two swimming pools, sports facilities, including basketball, volleyball, racquetball and tennis; Thin and Healthy Total Solutions – billed as a last stop for weight loss and a staff of professionals who want to create a positive experience and assist clients open 24 hours a day.

For more information, call (219) 865-6969, or visit www.franciscanalliance.org/omni.