Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare hosts 4th Annual Healthier 901 Fest at Shelby Farms Park. A day of health, wellness and family fun returns this fall as Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare presents the 4th Annual Healthier 901 Fest on Saturday, Sept. 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Shelby Farms Park. Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare President and CEO Michael Ugwueke encourages all members of the community to join the more than 16,000 participants who have embraced the Healthier 901 movement since launching in 2023 by coming together to learn and experience the benefits of healthier living at this year's Healthier 901 Fest. "Research continues to show that healthy habits are easier to build and sustain when people feel connected to others. Healthier 901 Fest brings people together through movement, education, and encouragement, creating opportunities to support one another on the path to better health," Ugwueke said. "We know lasting wellness is about more than individual choices; it's about fostering a community that makes healthy living easier and more accessible for everyone. Together, we're building a healthier, more connected Memphis, and we're proud to stand alongside our Healthier 901 participants every step of the way," Ugwueke added. With more than 7,100 attendees in 2025, this free, family-friendly outdoor celebration is designed to inspire sustainable wellness through joyful movement, practical health education, and meaningful community connections. New to the 2026 iteration of Healthier 901 Fest is a non-competitive one mile walk and a timed 4k run/walk. Attendees can register for these events up until the start of the event by going to https://healthier901.com/mile-walk/. Healthier 901 and Healthier 901 Fest has enabled Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare to reach the Mid-South community in new and exciting ways that encourages healthier living through healthy habits that fit everyday life. More than one-third of our community battles obesity, putting Mid-Southerners at higher risk for life-threatening conditions. Many neighbors, family and friends in our community are fighting or have been diagnosed with obesity, heart disease, cancer and overall poor health. Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare not only wants to change that, but also strives to be part of the solution. The Healthier 901 movement focuses on practical, sustainable steps that help participants build healthier routines and stay connected to resources that support their well-being. The upcoming Healthier 901 Fest is a great way to kick-start your journey to a healthier lifestyle. This year's festival features a dynamic lineup of activities categorized into core community experiences: Move Your Body: Attendees can participate in a new 1-mile walk or timed 4K run, alongside energizing group workouts on the Main Lawn led by the YMCA and local fitness instructors. Activities are tailored for all ages and ability levels. · Discover Something New: The Find Your Fit Zone will host more than 20 local organizations and wellness vendors. Visitors can access free health screenings, check out live Kroger cooking demonstrations with Chef Ragan Oglesby-Phillips, and pick up health tips and event swag. · Celebrate Community: The Main Stage will feature a DJ, sponsor giveaways, and interactive activities throughout the day, all emceed by Kym Clark and Patrick Ellis of WMC Action News 5. · Le Bonheur Family Zone: Designed specifically for children and families, this area offers hula hoops, face painting, youth exercises, inflatables and educational games to keep kids active and engaged. While the festival is a one-day celebration of health and wellness, it also connects participants to the year-round Healthier 901 movement, which offers the free Healthier 901 app, partner discounts and community events for Mid-Southerners of all fitness levels.

Former Memphis broadcaster Richard Ransom leaves Methodist Le Bonheur communications post. Memphis Commercial Appeal Former Memphis broadcaster Richard Ransom has left his role as the director of strategic communication at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, Ransom confirmed Nov. 19. "After 30 years in television news, I believed that Methodist offered me an interesting opportunity to use my skills as a journalist to provide Methodist with proactive and principled media relations," Ransom said in a statement. "It didn't take long to realize that this is not what the hospital system's management had in mind. We agreed to part ways. While I've made no decisions about my next chapter, I am committed to being more thoughtful about where I land." Ransom joined Methodist from ABC24 in March 2025, where he spent almost a decade as a television broadcaster. Ransom had been a part of the Memphis media world for 20 years. Ransom said his last day with Methodist was Nov. 7. Jack Armstrong covers breaking news and the environment for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at [email protected] and followed on X @jca2902.

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