Cornett and others named 'Champions of Health'

From Staff Reports

Published: September 4, 2008

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett has been named Public Service Health Champion and recipient of the 2008 Rodney L. Huey, M.D., Memorial Champion of Oklahoma Health award, the highest honor of the Champions of Health awards.

This fifth-annual awards program recognizes outstanding organizations and individuals dedicated to improving the health of Oklahomans.

Cornett announced the launch of the "This City is Going on a Diet” campaign on Dec. 31, 2007, with the goal of losing 1 million pounds as a community in an effort to create a healthier city. Cornett has led by example, losing 42 pounds since April 2007.

An interactive Web site, www.thiscityisgoingonadiet.com, including helpful resources and links, tools, recipes and health-related events was launched, allowing participants to confidentially track their weight loss progress and calculate their body mass index (BMI). More than 20,000 residents have gone online and signed up to participate, collectively losing more than 141,000 pounds.

The Rodney L. Huey, M.D., Memorial Champion of Oklahoma Health award will be accepted at the 2008 Champions of Health Awards, 6 p.m., Sept. 29 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

The Champions of Health awards program is presented by: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the Oklahoma Hospital Association, the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association, the Oklahoma State Medical Association and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

As Champion of Oklahoma Health, Cornett receives a grant of $2,500 to award to the Oklahoma health improvement organization or project of his choice.

Nine other Champions also will be honored and each awarded a $1,000 contribution to their organization or program:

•Champion of the Uninsured: Insure Oklahoma, Oklahoma City — The Oklahoma Health Care Authority.

•Education and Awareness Champion: Lawton/Fort Sill Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Team, Lawton.

•Champion of Children's Health: Norman Regional Health System, Norman.

•Champion of Public Health: The Child Abuse Network Inc., Tulsa.

•Minority Health Champion: Cherokee Nation Health Partners, Tahlequah.

•Professional Health Care Champion: Dr. Frances Haas, Tulsa.

•Champion of Senior Health: Gail Potts/Senior Life Network, Enid.

•Health and Medical Media Champion: Lori Holliday/Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA), Oklahoma City.

•Corporate Health Champion: Employee Wellness Initiative, Chesapeake Energy Corp.

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