‘I Like Myself Now’: How Capital Blue Cross, UPMC in Central PA Help Make Harrisburg Healthier

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Monika Ross wasn’t too high on herself in early 2020. 

“I was 220 pounds,” Ross said. “I was hypertensive. I was prediabetic. My cholesterol was 265. So I was looking for programs to help me manage that.” 

What Ross found was Healthy Harrisburg, a UPMC in Central PA program piloted by the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation and generously supported by Capital Blue Cross. 

What Ross rediscovered through Healthy Harrisburg was her health, her happiness, and herself. More than two years into the program, she has lost 53 pounds, and her hypertension, prediabetes, and cholesterol are all under control. 

“So I’m still doing it,” Ross said recently before an Xtreme Hip Hop Class that is a regular part of her Healthy Harrisburg regimen. “And because I’m still doing it, emotionally, I like myself now. When you’re 220, and you’re not feeling healthy, you kind of look at yourself differently. 

“But now that I’m healthy, I’m happier. I like myself.” 

Standing Together, Making Things Better 

Ross’ health journey is not unlike others who have joined Healthy Harrisburg, which offers regular line dancing, strength training, African dance, and Xtreme Hip Hop step classes, along with an annual, citywide Juneteenth celebration. 

And it’s all free, to all participants, thanks largely to Capital Blue Cross’ support. 

“We’re so happy to hear stories like Monika’s,” said Capital Blue Cross President and CEO Todd Shamash, who recently joined UPMC in Central PA President and CEO Lou Baverso to visit Ross’ Xtreme Hip Hop Class and celebrate the program’s success. 

“Monika’s results and those of so many others in Healthy Harrisburg exemplify why we so proudly support this program,” Shamash said. “It mirrors our mission to go the extra mile to improve access to healthcare and community health and well-being.” 

“We’re truly grateful to Capital Blue Cross for helping bring this program to the public,” said UPMC’s Baverso. “Healthy Harrisburg isn’t just about fitness. It’s about challenging health disparities, and addressing chronic disease in underserved populations.” 

Good for Everyone 

Of course, what benefits the health of all people in a community ultimately benefits all parts of a community. In this case, that includes Central Pennsylvania businesses, which thrive most when the region’s population thrives – and Healthy Harrisburg and its participants are certainly thriving. 

The program began in 2020 with 25 registrants. As a sign of the program’s ballooning popularity, it now serves between 130 and 150 participants per quarter, with the most recent enrollment reaching 152. That number is expected to grow in 2023. 

Jankail Adams, UPMC in Central PA’s project manager of diversity, equity, and inclusion, can rattle off additional stellar results: The last two cohorts have dropped over 250 combined pounds, and about 10% of participants have weaned off prescription medication. 

“We’ve also seen numbers in diabetes drop,” Adams said. “We’ve seen numbers in hypertension drop, which is extremely critical, especially to the black and brown communities, because heart disease is the No. 1 killer of black and brown women in particular.” 

Success Stories 

April Robles is among the program participants who has been in Xtreme Hip Hop instructor Robin Marshall’s class since it began. She’s another case study in Healthy Harrisburg’s effectiveness, having lost 52 pounds since joining. Robles has also lowered her blood pressure and realized far more than physical benefits. 

“I have anxiety, and this program has calmed it all the way down,” she said. “I’ve had no anxiety, no blood-pressure issues. Mentally, this is awesome.” 

Robles said she’ll continue the program as long as it remains free. 

“You meet a lot of good people in here, and it’s a very supportive group,” Robles said. “As long as this is open for me, I will be here and be a part of this. Because my whole life depends on this program, pretty much.”