Pauline Thiros and Kevin Satterlee Take on Portneuf Executive Challenge

Idaho State University President Kevin Satterlee and Athletic Director Pauline Thiros are taking on local executives in the Portneuf Health Trust Executive Challenge.

Portneuf Health Trust has challenged local executives to hike Mount Borah, virtually. With the increase of warm weather and the novel coronavirus that resulted in staying home, Portneuf Health Trust was seeking a way to encourage community members to get back to a healthier lifestyle.

Micaela Knickerbocker, the trust’s Wellness Coordinator said the hospital leadership agreed on the Executive Challenge after briefly brainstorming with CEO Shaun Manchaca.

“We thought, ‘let us get the leaders of the community and get them to be the first ones to get out there and set the example for the community,’ Knickerbocker told EastIdahoNews.com.

Satterlee and Thiros, along with the other participants use their own step-tracking devices, such as Fitbits and Apple Watches. Steps will automatically be uploaded via MoveSpring, a fitness tracking app utilized regularly by the Portneuf Health Trust. One available feature in the app that Knickerbocker is excited about for the challenge is a messaging system, something she expects to include friendly trash talk between competitors.

Along with the promotion of daily activity, the Portneuf Health Trust has transformed this competition into an opportunity for its executives to offer monetary aid for the Idaho State University Family Medicine Residency Clinic. For each competitor who successfully records 142 miles, the trust will donate $1,000 in that competitor’s name, to ISU Family Medicine. The winner will receive a prize- although that prize has not yet been determined.