Hundreds of keiki got rolling at Wilcox Medical Center’s 10th annual Keiki Bike & Skateboard Safety Day. Wilcox, in partnership with community organizations, hosted the free family event where kids had fun learning how to ride their bicycles and skateboards safely.
One of the most popular booths featured Wilcox physicians and medical students measuring kids’ heads to gift them with multi-use helmets that fit properly. Keiki could then decorate their free helmets with stickers and markers. The day was even more exciting for 55 children who received even bigger gifts — free bicycles which were donated by Wilcox employees and the community.
Other highlights of the event included a bike skills enhancement course by Kauai Path, where kids learned proper hand signals and how to safely navigate turns; skateboard lessons and tips from Play Streets Kaua‘i and Kauai Skate Ohana; and free bike tune-ups at AlohaCare’s safety inspection station. Families also learned about concussion prevention at educational booths and could pick up healthy snacks from Wilcox’s Food and Nutrition team.
“We are proud that Bike & Skateboard Safety Day has become a favorite event for both our employees and our community,” said Jen Chahanovich, president and CEO of Wilcox Medical Center and CEO of Kauai Medical Clinic. “What makes this event even more special is to be able to see some of our Kauai keiki grow up as their families return year after year. It means a lot, knowing that we’re helping to ensure the health and well-being of these kids.
“We are committed to creating healthier communities and this family-friendly event is a part of that.”
Photo (top): Dr. Anthony Clark, Wilcox anesthesiologist, finishes fitting a child’s helmet.
Photo (inset 1): Mel Rapozo, Kauai County Council chair, and the bicycle he donated to the event with Cathye Sataraka, Wilcox vice president of patient services and chief nurse executive, and Star, Wilcox facility dog.
Photo (inset 2): Dr. Erika Noel, Wilcox pediatrician, finds the right fit for a child’s helmet.
Photo (inset 3): Dr. Alyssa Carnegie, Wilcox orthopedic hand surgeon, cheers on a keiki running the obstacle course.