Five New Board Members Join The Health Project

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, The Health Project announced the call for applications for its 2013 C. Everett Koop National Health Award, a recognition presented to organizations that implement and rigorously evaluate health promotion and disease prevention programs. The application, which is due by 5:00 pm EDT on Friday, May 24, 2013, is now available and can be accessed online at www.TheHealthProject.com.

The Health Project, the non-profit consortium that presents the Koop Award, also announced the addition of five new members to its Board of Directors. The new Board Members are:

• Ellen Exum, BS, Director, Global Wellness, PepsiCo, Inc.
• Michelle Hatzis, PhD, Program Manager, Global Healthy Lifestyles, Google, Inc.
• Rebecca Kelly, RD, PhD, CDE, Assistant Professor and Director, Health Promotion and Wellness, The University of Alabama
• Debra Lerner, MS, PhD, Director, Program on Health, Work and Productivity, Tufts Medical Center; Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
• Tre' McCalister, MA, EdD, Global Health Strategist, Human Resources - Global Benefits, Dell Inc.

"The appointment of these distinguished leaders in worksite health promotion to The Health Project board is an investment in the organization's future," said Dr. Ron Goetzel, president and CEO of The Health Project. "Expanding the board will bring diverse perspectives and help ensure the continuity of the Koop Award in the future."

A complete listing of The Health Project's Board of Directors is available at www.TheHealthProject.com/board.

The Health Project has been awarding annual prizes to organizations with proven health improvement and cost savings programs since 1994. More than 50 winners have received the prestigious award since the organization was established, with Dr. C. Everett Koop, the former Surgeon General of the United States from 1981-1989, as its honorary chairperson. Dr. Koop passed away last month at the age of 96, but his legacy and contributions to public health and health promotion live on.

The Health Project (THP) is a non-profit private-public consortium dedicated to bringing about critical attitudinal and behavioral changes in the American health care system, so that providers and consumers employ its vast resources with increasing knowledge and understanding. THP's mission is to seek out, evaluate, promote, and distribute programs with demonstrated effectiveness in influencing personal health habits and the cost effective use of health care services. The National Health Awards are given each year to worksite, community or provider programs which have soundly documented improved health and decreased medical costs.

SOURCE The Health Project