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Compelled by the challenges that prevent many children from eating well, Jugta Kahai, MD, pediatric medical director at Columbus Regional Healthcare System, started a community garden at CRHS this past spring. "About 40 percent of our country's children are poor and overweight," Dr. Kahai says. "So I wanted to provide kids with a healthy way to eat and teach them to grow their own vegetables. By working with the garden directly, they can understand just how easy it is to access healthy food." Local children now maintain three beds, from which they have grown squash, zucchini, radishes, cucumber, tomato, eggplant and okra. The garden has also grown interest: the original goal was to work with children who were overweight, but there has been so much excitement about the project that it has also helped children with disorders such as depression, anxiety and autism. Dr. Kahai hopes to expand to 15 beds in the next few years, adding fruits and herbs, and also to build rain barrels and compost piles as a way to promote affordable methods for developing home gardens. "Having a medical clinic is not just about providing medications," Dr. Kahai says. "It's about teaching people to live healthy lives." If you'd like to help support the community garden, call 910-640-4064 and ask for Amanda. INFORMATION A NEW COMMUNITY GARDEN IS HELPING CHILDREN GROW INTERESTED IN A HEALTHIER FUTURE. GREEN SHOOTS AT YOUR Fingertips NEW TOOLS TO MANAGE YOUR WELLNESS. The patient portal at Columbus Regional Healthcare System will soon house new features that make it easier for you to access your health information. "From allowing you quick access to your lab results and medications to giving you one place to house your family history and living will, this version offers multiple ways to be involved in your health," says Maria McPherson, RN, BSN, assistant IT director at Columbus Regional. Direct messaging will enable you to communicate with providers between visits, and in the future you will also be able to upload fitness-tracker data so that you can follow trends with your steps, calories burned and heart rate activity. If you choose to share your fitness data with providers, they can then make more informed recommendations. "To me, the portal is another way for you to take ownership of your health, so you can be more prepared for your next visit while also tracking your long-term goals," says Lisa Ward, information systems director at Columbus Regional. If you are already using our patient portal, you'll receive an electronic invite to update and the transition will be seamless. Otherwise, ask about the portal at your next scheduled appointment. If you need a primary care provider, visit crhealthcare.org. JUGTA KAHAI, MD 7 CRHEALTHCARE.ORG More an a Hpital