Providence Hospital Hosts Obesity Summit Featuring US Surgeon General, Regina M. Benjamin, MD
Providence Hospital, in partnership with the DC Department of Health, George Washington University STOP Obesity Alliance, and the Georgetown University School of Medicine hosted an obesity summit discussing ways to combat obesity. The summit featured the US Surgeon General, policymakers and community leaders.
(Vocus/PRWEB) March 28, 2011
Providence Hospital, in partnership with the DC Department of Health (DC DOH), George Washington University STOP Obesity Alliance, and Georgetown University School of Medicine, hosted an obesity summit””Live Well DC! A Summit Promoting Wellness: Providence Leading the Way to Combat Obesity””featuring US Surgeon General, Vice Admiral, Regina M. Benjamin, MD, MBA.
The summit convened local and national renowned scientists, physicians, District government officials, business leaders, clergies and health care policy-makers to discuss preventive strategies and innovative solutions to combat obesity. Providence also disclosed plans and specific goals to assist DC DOH in implementing their city-wide Obesity Action Plan.
“We are excited to be part of an ongoing plan to improve the health of our community,” said Amy Freeman, President and CEO of Providence Hospital. “This summit allows Providence to act as a major catalyst in transforming the health and wellness of our residents, and assures that our efforts align with what other community partners are doing to reduce obesity rates.”
Obesity contributes substantially to the prevalence of other chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and cancer. According to the District’s Obesity Action Plan, more than five in ten adults living in the District are overweight or obese””with rates climbing to 72 percent in certain wards. Among District children, one in every three is at risk of being overweight or obese. These rates are among the highest in the country.
The summit included the following speakers:
Key Note Speaker, Vice Admiral, Regina M. Benjamin, MD, MBA, Surgeon General of the United States
Vincent C. Gray, Mayor of the District of Columbia
Michael A. Brown, Member At-Large, Council of the District of Columbia
Harry Thomas, Jr., Ward 5 Council Member, Council of the District of Columbia
Mohammad N. Akhter, MD, Director of the DC Department of Health
Donald Shell, MD, MA, Health Officer for the Prince George’s County Health Department
JoAnn Webster, Vice President of Community Health, Ascension Health
Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington
Christine C. Ferguson, JD, Director, STOP Obesity Alliance at George Washington University
About Providence Hospital- For 150 years, Providence Hospital has provided landmark medical care for persons in need throughout the metropolitan area. We are the longest continuously operating hospital in the nation’s capital””yet we’re still setting new standards in innovative, state-of-the-art health and wellness services. With strengths in orthopedic care, maternal and infant health, surgery, cardiology, geriatric medicine, cancer treatment, sleep medicine, bariatric services, and stroke care, we combine sophisticated medical technology with spirituality and compassion. Providence serves with a mission of healing and a dedication to community. Providence is part of Ascension Health, the nation's largest Catholic and nonprofit health system, committed to Healthcare That Is Safe, Healthcare That Works, and Healthcare That Leaves No One Behind.
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For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/3/prweb8246798.htm