FirstLight Helmet Headquarters

Outsmarting Preventable Head Injuries

Mora, Minn.

The healthiest communities are strong communities. Bound together by sometimes only a ZIP code or street address, they are strong because they gather, engage, listen, help, partner, troubleshoot, mobilize and more. And they do it by coming together with their neighbors and local businesses.
 

Nurse practitioner Sandy Moore spoke up about her growing concerns with preventable head injuries among children.

FirstLight Health Systems is deeply committed to serving communities within the areas of Mora, Hinckley and Pine City. The efforts of this 70-year old institution to support and improve health throughout central Minnesota extend well beyond the walls of its campuses.

“What sets FirstLight apart as a strong community partner is responsiveness and innovation,” says Jeanne Muench, provider relations manager at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. “Their ability to motivate and join forces with others to help address a community need allows them to respond quickly.”

FirstLight’s ability to quickly turn an idea into action was on display with the creation of their Helmet Headquarters service. Nurse practitioner Sandy Moore set the wheels in motion when she spoke up at a FirstLight provider meeting about her growing concerns with preventable head injuries among children.

“A lot of bumps, bruises, stitches and even head trauma can be avoided by simply wearing a helmet while riding a bike or scooter,” says Kim Tepley, marketing director at FirstLight Health System. “But time and time again, we would see children in the community not wearing protective helmets.”

Being one of the largest health systems in East Central Minnesota, FirstLight knew they could make a difference and increase helmet usage because of the relationships they have with parents. Together with thier designer, Mason Jar Creative, they brainstormed an idea to help address this need, making FirstLight Health Helmet Headquarters for a week. Launched just in time for Bike Safety Awareness week this past spring, FirstLight approached three retail partners to help facilitate a free helmet program for children in the communities it serves. The program was designed to work through a voucher/gift card system fully funded by FirstLight.

For one week in May 2017, families could obtain a free helmet voucher for children under the age of 10. The promotion was such a success that one of the retailers ran out of inventory. In total, 350 helmets were given as gifts to children in the community.

“Because of the one-week campaign’s success, we decided to make this a sustained effort,” says Tepley.

Helmet usage is now a discussion point in well-child visits, with physicians handing out vouchers to patients in need. Furthermore, FirstLight EMS staff has integrated a reward program into their routine. When not on an active call, you might find EMS staff out and about in the community. Whenever they spot a child wearing a helmet, they present the child with a certificate for a free treat from Dairy Queen.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota recognizes the FirstLight Health System as part of its Blue Cross Trailblazer Tour, a program that recognizes people and organizations for their innovative efforts to move health forward. The effort is part of Blue Cross’ ongoing commitment to transform the places in which Minnesotans live, work and play.