The Brunswick Wellness Coalition recently started its first community program, a four-week walking challenge for congregants of Ocean View United Methodist Church on Oak Island. The Bethlehem Walking Challenge gives church members the opportunity to walk a collective 6,160 miles.
 
“It’s the distance from Oak Island to Bethlehem, commemorating the journey Joseph and Mary made more than 2,000 years ago,” said Scott Starks, Brunswick Wellness Coalition chairman, in a news release.
 
The group also announced the hiring of Lindsay Maher as executive director. She joined the Coalition from Coastal Carolinas Health Alliance where she had worked for four years.
 
Maher has worked in the health industry for 10 years and earned a master’s of public administration degree with a concentration in health policy and nonprofit management from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
 
Since the founding of the coalition by four members – Dosher Memorial Hospital, Brunswick County Health Department, New Hope Clinic and YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina – the coalition has doubled.
 
New members are New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Brunswick County Cooperative Extension, CommWell Health and Brunswick Senior Resources Inc.
 
“These partners will help us streamline and expand health education and screening services across Brunswick County,” Maher said. “We’re looking for more community groups to host a wellness program, which can be anything from healthy eating to aerobic classes.”