RWJBarnabas Health Teams Up With Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ and PGA Tour Golfer Morgan Hoffmann to Officially Tee Up Healthy Steps NJ
Newark, NJ (PRWEB) June 23, 2016 -- As part of an ongoing commitment to encourage living a healthy and active lifestyle, RWJBarnabas Health and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) have teamed 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.
Through Healthy Steps NJ, Hoffmann will share a series of health education tips through web-based videos and social media 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.
The Healthy Steps NJ challenge runs from June 23, 2016 through July 21, 2016. Young golfers ages 11-18 who participate will try to walk 10,000 steps a day for as many as days as they can to earn prizes including golf gear. The top two boys and girls in each of their respective age divisions will get to spend quality time and share a healthy lunch with Hoffmann at Baltusrol.
“Morgan Hoffmann is a huge proponent of staying fit and healthy eating – two vital facets of the RWJBarnabas Health mission to help people live healthier lives. Morgan is an exceptional role model for golfers of all ages,” says Barry H. Ostrowsky, President and Chief Executive Officer, RWJBarnabas Health. “Through this exciting collaboration, Morgan will educate young athletes on the importance of athletic training and nutrition to enhance performance and encourage them to stay active.”
“Horizon is thrilled to expand our relationship with Morgan Hoffmann. He is a native of the Garden State who has worked tirelessly with us 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. “Morgan cares deeply about the game of golf and its fans and we’re delighted that he will be spending time with the young fans we work with to promote good health and exercise,” Marino added.
“RWJBarnabas Health and Horizon are two of the most respected health-focused organizations in my home state of New Jersey and I’m always excited to work with them,” says Morgan Hoffmann. “I have a very strict fitness regime and strong beliefs about nutrition. I’ll be delivering a positive healthy message throughout this entire campaign and I look forward to talking with the kids about how fitness is really all about fun.”
“For every junior golfer in New Jersey who aspires to be a PGA or LPGA Tour Player Morgan is a tremendous role model” said Chris Hunt, Executive Director of the New Jersey Golf Foundation. “Morgan’s health habits and active lifestyle go far beyond golf and he has become an inspiration for people of all ages. Morgan makes the already great partnership the New Jersey Golf Foundation has with Horizon and RWJBarnabas Health even stronger.”
On behalf of RWJBarnabas Health and Horizon BCBSNJ, nearly 600 NJPGA Junior Tour Members will track their steps during NJPGA Junior Tour events through a customized app. In addition, if the entire group of junior golfers reach a collective goal, Horizon BCBSNJ and RWJBarnabas Health will donate a total of $5,000 to the New Jersey Golf Foundation.
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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Kevin McArdle, Horizon Healthcare Services, Inc., +1 (973) 466-5336, [email protected]
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