Gastonia, N.C.-based CaroMont Health announced it is pulling its new tagline, "Cheat Death," so controversy over the slogan does not overshadow the goal of improving the community's health.
CaroMont unveiled its new tagline as well as the new name of its Gaston Memorial Hospital in Gastonia — CaroMont Regional Medical Center — Thursday. The tagline was designed to motivate the community to take a new approach to healthcare, as Gaston County was ranked 81st out of 100 North Carolina counties for health in a recent ranking.
However, the "Cheat Death" tagline drew considerable dissent from community members and leaders, with some physicians saying it "cheapens" their profession and others pointing to religious undertones, according to a Charlotte Observer report.
On Friday, CaroMont released a statement explaining the reasoning behind the tagline. "Our focus needs to be on preventing disease. […] That's what "Cheat Death" is all about. The tagline is being taken out of that context. We are not saying we can stop death. What we are saying is that if you take an active part in your own health — being more active, making better nutritional choices, stop smoking — you can live a longer, healthier and ultimately happier life."
Today, CaroMont issued another message saying that since the goal of the "Cheat Death" slogan — to spark a passion for improving the community's health — has been achieved, it is pulling the tagline. "Our objective is to start a health revolution through an audacious goal and a bold rallying cry. Once the rallying cry began to take over the message for our medical staff and employees, the CaroMont Health System Board Chair, Spurgeon Mackie, and President/CEO Randy Kelley decided to pull the tagline so that the critically important message was not sacrificed," the message stated.
"Cheat Death:" CaroMont's New Slogan Launches Community Health Campaign
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CaroMont unveiled its new tagline as well as the new name of its Gaston Memorial Hospital in Gastonia — CaroMont Regional Medical Center — Thursday. The tagline was designed to motivate the community to take a new approach to healthcare, as Gaston County was ranked 81st out of 100 North Carolina counties for health in a recent ranking.
However, the "Cheat Death" tagline drew considerable dissent from community members and leaders, with some physicians saying it "cheapens" their profession and others pointing to religious undertones, according to a Charlotte Observer report.
On Friday, CaroMont released a statement explaining the reasoning behind the tagline. "Our focus needs to be on preventing disease. […] That's what "Cheat Death" is all about. The tagline is being taken out of that context. We are not saying we can stop death. What we are saying is that if you take an active part in your own health — being more active, making better nutritional choices, stop smoking — you can live a longer, healthier and ultimately happier life."
Today, CaroMont issued another message saying that since the goal of the "Cheat Death" slogan — to spark a passion for improving the community's health — has been achieved, it is pulling the tagline. "Our objective is to start a health revolution through an audacious goal and a bold rallying cry. Once the rallying cry began to take over the message for our medical staff and employees, the CaroMont Health System Board Chair, Spurgeon Mackie, and President/CEO Randy Kelley decided to pull the tagline so that the critically important message was not sacrificed," the message stated.
More Articles on CaroMont Health:
CaroMont's New "Cheat Death" Slogan Sparks Criticism"Cheat Death:" CaroMont's New Slogan Launches Community Health Campaign
CaroMont Health in North Carolina to Change Gaston Memorial's Name