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Morton Plant Mease's male biggest loser

Photo from North Bay Hospital

Bron Foster, a clinical nurse in the emergency department at Morton Plant North Bay Hospital in New Port Richey, won a weight-loss competition among 2,700 employees in the area.

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SUNCOAST NEWS STAFF REPORT

Published: June 2, 2009

Updated:

NEW PORT RICHEY - Bron Foster is a shadow of his former self - literally.

Foster, a clinical nurse in the emergency department at Morton Plant North Bay Hospital, lost more than one-fourth of his weight to become the overall male winner in a contest.

Inspired by the television program "The Biggest Loser," BayCare Health System organized a 12-week weight loss challenge for its workers, according to Anna Allen, media relations coordinator for Morton Plant Mease Health Care.

More than 2,700 Morton Plant Mease employees across the Suncoast participated to shed a total of 10,840 pounds.

"That's about the size of a Learjet Model 23," Steve Mason, president and chief executive officer of BayCare Health System, said in a press release.

BayCare Health System is a consortium of medical centers on the Suncoast that includes North Bay and other Morton Plant Mease hospitals.

The free weight loss challenge was Mason's idea. "Our team members spend their days working to improve the health of the community and I wanted them to encourage our team members in living a healthy lifestyle," he noted.

During the competition, participants weighed in four times. Supported by the three BayCare wellness centers, team members were offered tips on physical fitness and healthy eating habits.

Scoring was based on percentage of weight lost rather than actual pounds.

Participants received a free pedometer to track their physical activity.

Winners from each BayCare hospital campus were given cash prizes. Overall winners received $3,000. First place winners received $1,000 each, second place $500 each, and third place, $250 each. Winners include team members from nursing, lab, administrative, outpatient centers and other departments.

Foster lost 26.3 percent of his body weight to claim the overall title among men.

The overall winner among women was Lorna Michael, who lost 30.38 percent of her body weight. Lorna is an exercise leader at the Morton Plant Mease Wellness Center in Clearwater.

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