New Lifestyle Medicine Program Coming to Goodland Regional Medical Center
- Kristina Hemel
- Sep 11
- 2 min read
GOODLAND, KS – A new program at Goodland Regional Medical Center aims to bring health, education, and community together in a way that’s both engaging and fun. Starting Saturday, October 4, Jade Spellmeier, FPRN, FNP-C, will lead a six-session Lifestyle Medicine program designed to help patients manage and even prevent chronic illnesses.
Spellmeier explained on the Good Neighbor Hour that this is not your typical doctor’s appointment. Instead of a provider “preaching” at patients, the program is built around teamwork, group discussions, and practical strategies. “It’s about asking, how are we going to get there, and how do we make things better together?” she said.
How the Program Works
Participants will check in at the clinic like a normal office visit, but then move to the hospital’s board room for group sessions. These will include education, discussions, and even healthy snack demonstrations. “We want this to be enjoyable—something people look forward to,” Spellmeier noted.
The program focuses on six evidence-based “pillars of health”:
Nutrition
Physical activity
Stress management
Restorative sleep
Social connectedness
Avoiding risky behaviors
Together, these pillars play a critical role in preventing and managing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and high cholesterol.
Who Can Join?
The program is open to patients with a diagnosis of diabetes, pre-diabetes, or metabolic syndrome. Spellmeier explained that metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions—such as high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, low HDL (good cholesterol), abdominal obesity, or elevated glucose—that put patients at higher risk for chronic disease.
Because visits are billed like a standard office visit, participants will need to meet certain medical criteria for insurance coverage. Co-pays and deductibles apply as they would for any clinic visit.
Why Saturdays?
To make participation easier, the sessions will be held on Saturdays. “We know weekdays are hectic. Saturdays just seemed like a better fit to give more people a chance to come,” Spellmeier said.
Building Community Support
Beyond the medical benefits, Spellmeier emphasized the importance of building connections. Group visits give participants the chance to share struggles and solutions, exchange tips, and encourage one another. “Sometimes just knowing you’re not alone—and hearing how others have overcome the same challenges—can make all the difference,” she said.
Enrollment Details
The first class begins October 4. Enrollment is limited to about 5–16 participants per group. To register, call Goodland Regional Medical Center at 785-890-6075 and ask for registration. Spellmeier’s nurse will guide you through the enrollment process.
“Lifestyle changes can be tough to make on your own,” Spellmeier said. “This program is about walking that journey together, with support, accountability, and encouragement.”
Would you also like me to make a short Facebook teaser for this story that highlights the date and phone number to call? That could help drive readers directly to the hospital to sign up.
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