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3 Musketeers with Human Resource Director Kecia Daniels, Barbara Mintz, AVP of Nutrition and Wellness, NBIMC & CHoNJ, John A. Brennan, MD, MPH, Executive Director, NBIMC & CHoNJ and Deputy Mayor Margarita Muniz.
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NEWARK, New Jersey – January 23, 2012 – Hospital and city officials announced the first winners of the 2012 Beth Challenge, an award-winning weight loss and nutrition program designed by Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. John A. Brennan, MD, MPH, Executive Director of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (NBIMC) was joined by Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Councilman Ron Rice and employees of the City of Newark for The Beth Challenge/Round II weigh-in which revealed city employees lost nearly 385 pounds over the last 12 weeks.
This is the second time City employees participated in The Beth Challenge. They have lost a total of more than 1,200 pounds over the last 12 months.
“One of the most important community initiatives of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center is The Beth Challenge,” said John A. Brennan, MD, MPH, Executive Director of NBIMC & Children’s Hospital of New Jersey (CHoNJ). “Through The Beth Challenge, we are helping to change lives for the better by reducing the incidence of obesity and providing the framework for a healthier lifestyle for the hundreds of people who are part of The Beth Challenge.”
The Beth Challenge is a successful weight loss program and contest designed by NBIMC and originally offered to employees of NBIMC and CHoNJ to reduce weight, improve their health and helps them achieve healthy changes in their lifestyle. The three-part, 12 week weight Loss and Fitness Challenge, started with employees of Newark Beth Israel in 2009. To date, hospital employees have lost 8,100 pounds.
The Beth Challenge includes one-on-one professional guidance on healthy food options and fitness, private weigh-ins and consultations, and an opportunity for a reduced fee 12-week gym membership for all participants. The classes and exercise programs are not held during working hours. Participants are given information about family diet and exercise plans. Other major partners include Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Colosseum Gym and the Newark YMCA.
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Deputy Mayor Margarita Muniz, John A. Brennan, MD, MPH, Executive Director, NBIMC & CHoNJ, Mayor Cory A. Booker, Councilman Ronald C. Rice, Barbara Mintz, AVP of Nutrition and Wellness, NBIMC & CHoNJ and Peter T. Rosario, CFRE VP/COO, YMCA .
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“We in City government have to be the change that we want to see in the community. We can accept conditions as they are or take responsibility for making changes. Over 50 percent of our children are overweight, obese, or grossly obese. We must be healthy for not only our fellow adults, but our children. Children may not listen to their elders, but they never fail to imitate them. We must pull together as a community and a family to get this right.”
Dr. John Brennan and Barbara Mintz recognized the team winners for the City of Newark Beth Challenge, “The 3 Musketeers” with Audrey Grant, Maria Hernandez and Ingrid Delapara and the individual weight loss winner was Jolanda Williams.
In addition to addressing adult health and obesity, the “Beth Challenge,” also promotes healthy lifestyles for children. NBIMC has a partnership with Maple Avenue School in Newark, where they created a three-month health and wellness program that encourage students to achieve better health. First Lady Michelle Obama visited the school with her “Let’s Move” initiative and to show her support for the “Beth Challenge.”
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| Solo Winner Jolanda Williams with John A. Brennan, MD, MPH, Executive Director, NBIMC & CHoNJ Deputy Mayor Margarita Muniz, Human Resource Director Kecia Daniels and Barbara Mintz, AVP of Nutrition and Wellness |
According to Barbara Mintz, Assistant Vice President of Wellness at the hospital created The Beth Challenge to address individual health and fitness goals and to add fun to the sometimes arduous process of weight loss.
The Beth Challenge has been recognized nationally by NBC-TV, “The Biggest Loser,” television show. The show taped a segment of the popular television show in the fitness center at NBIMC and last July the show hosted their Weight Loss Challenge at the medical center – 500 people attended the challenge for a bid on the next season of the Biggest Loser in the spring.
Next week, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center will launch a The Beth Challenge/FAITH Community with six churches in Newark.
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, (NBIMC), a 673-bed regional care teaching hospital, provides comprehensive health care to people of New Jersey and beyond. NBIMC has more than 800 physicians, 3,200 employees and 150 volunteers with over 300,000 outpatient visits and 25,000 admissions annually. NBIMC is fifth in the nation in the number of heart transplants with better than expected outcomes, has the only lung transplant program in New Jersey, has the most comprehensive pediatric cardiac care program in the region and combined with their parent, Barnabas Health, is third in the nation for kidney transplants, by volume.
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Date: January 23, 2012
Contact:
Tracy Munford
973-926-4398
862-236-0166
tmunford@barnabashealth.org
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