RWJBarnabas Health Teams Up With Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey & PGA Tour Golfer Morgan Hoffmann to Launch Healthy Steps NJ Campaign
Newark, NJ (PRWEB) April 22, 2016 -- As part of an ongoing commitment to encourage healthy living, RWJBarnabas Health and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) have paired up with New Jersey native and PGA Tour member Morgan Hoffmann to launch Healthy Steps NJ, an education campaign promoting living a healthy and active lifestyle.
RWJBarnabas Health and Horizon BCBSNJ teed off the program with a clinic at New Jersey PGA and New Jersey Golf Foundation headquarters at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, where more than 50 junior golfers from area high schools, 25 Special Olympic New Jersey athletes and veterans from the VA hospital in Lyons attended.
Through Healthy Steps NJ, Hoffmann will share a series of health education tips through social media and web-based videos throughout the golf season and make appearances at special events in New Jersey in advance of the 2016 PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield July 25-August 1, 2016, where Hoffmann will wear the corporate logos of both Horizon BCBSNJ and RWJBarnabas Health. The program will conclude at the annual NJ Golf Foundation fundraiser at Baltusrol Golf Club on August 15th, 2016. Through a special Healthy Steps NJ challenge, a few young golfers will be able to step their way into meeting Hoffmann at the PGA Championship.
“Morgan Hoffmann is an exceptional role model for golfers of all ages,” says Barry H. Ostrowsky, President and Chief Executive Officer, RWJBarnabas Health. “He is a proponent of healthy eating and staying fit – two crucial elements of the RWJBarnabas Health mission to help people live healthier lives. Through this innovative partnership, Morgan will encourage and educate young athletes on the importance of athletic training and nutrition to enhance performance.”
“Horizon is delighted to broaden our relationship with Morgan Hoffmann – a New Jersey native who has worked with our company to support the New Jersey Golf Foundation, and generously given back to the people, organizations and communities that helped him become an accomplished professional,” said Robert A. Marino, Chairman and CEO of Horizon BCBSNJ. “When it comes to setting an example for health and fitness, especially for young people, Morgan is simply at the top of the leaderboard,” Marino added.
“I’m excited to work with RWJBarnabas Health and Horizon, two of the most respected health-focused organizations in my home state of New Jersey,” says Morgan Hoffmann. “I have strong beliefs and a strict regime in nutrition and fitness. I look forward to delivering a positive healthy message throughout this entire campaign.”
“Morgan is a role model for every junior golfer in New Jersey who aspires to be a PGA or LPGA Tour Player,” said Chris Hunt, Executive Director of the New Jersey Golf Foundation. “Morgan’s active lifestyle and healthy habits transcend golf and he has become a role model for people of all ages. Morgan solidifies an already great partnership the New Jersey Golf Foundation has with Horizon and RWJBarnabas Health.”
On behalf of RWJBarnabas Health and Horizon BCBSNJ, nearly 600 NJPGA Junior Tour Members will be provided electronic devices in order to track steps during NJPGA Junior Tour events starting in June and improve optimal health. The top two boys and girls in each of their respective age divisions will win the opportunity to meet Morgan Hoffmann during the PGA Championship.
In addition, both companies will challenge employees during the month of May and June to promote the campaign with a series of health-related initiatives and events.
About Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state’s oldest and largest health insurer is a tax-paying, not-for-profit health service corporation, providing a wide array of medical, dental, and prescription insurance products and services. Horizon BCBSNJ is leading the transformation of health care in New Jersey by working with doctors and hospitals to deliver innovative, patient-centered programs that reward the quality, not quantity, of care patients receive. Learn more at http://www.HorizonBlue.com. Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association serving more than 3.8 million members.
About the NJ Golf Foundation
Founded in 2004, the NJGF is the charitable arm of the New Jersey PGA Section. With a focus on 3 core pillars (youth, military, special needs), the NJGF is committed to impacting lives and communities through the game of golf. Led by PGA Professionals, the NJGF hosts a dynamic line-up of programming that provides access for individuals from all backgrounds to experience the game of golf. Signature programs include, Golf In Schools, which is run annually at more than 200 schools, impacting more than 110,000 boys and girls (K-8), and PGA Junior League featuring more than 60 teams throughout New Jersey. For more information, visit http://www.njgolffoundation.org
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is the most comprehensive health care delivery system in New Jersey, treating over 3 million patients a year. The system includes eleven acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, RWJUH in New Brunswick and Somerville, RWJUH- Hamilton, RWJUH- Rahway and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston; three acute care children’s hospitals and a leading pediatric rehabilitation hospital (Children’s Specialized Hospital), a freestanding 100-bed behavioral health center, ambulatory care centers, geriatric centers, the state’s largest behavioral health network, comprehensive home care and hospice programs, fitness and wellness centers, retail pharmacy services, a medical group, multi-site imaging centers and four accountable care organizations.
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s second largest private employer – with more than 32,000 employees, 9,000 physicians and 1,000 residents and interns – and routinely captures national awards for its outstanding quality and safety.
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Thomas Vincz, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, +1 (973) 466-6625, [email protected]
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