Feb. 9, 2014
The Texas Medical Association Foundation (TMAF) presented its 2015 John P. McGovern Champion of Health Secondary
Award to the Medical Miles Mentor program run by the Medical Student Chapter of
the Baylor College of Medicine (Baylor). The
TMAF award recognizes
exceptional projects that address urgent public health threats and further
TMAF’s mission to fund initiatives that help physicians create a healthier
future for all Texans.
The
Medical Miles Mentor program was created in 2012 to improve the health and
wellness of local students through physical activity and mentoring. Baylor has worked
with 60 sixth-graders at Cullen Middle School (MS) in the Houston Independent
School District (HISD) to provide a weekly exercise program and to help increase
the academic performance, self-esteem, and behavior of program participants.
More than 90 percent of the Cullen MS students are economically disadvantaged
and nearly 70 percent are considered “at-risk” according to 2010 HISD
statistics.
Weekly
sessions include activities to improve cardiovascular fitness and overall
muscular endurance and strength. Medical students also make presentations about
topics ranging from conflict resolution to body image. In addition, middle
school and medical students interact in small mentoring groups that stay together
for the duration of the program, or a school semester.
Bryan
Whitlow, a Baylor student and program coordinator, said, “We hope these
activities combine to motivate the kids to exercise and provide them with stepping
stones for academic and life success.”
TMAF Champion
of Health Award secondary honorees receive $2,500. The award is named after
John P. McGovern, MD, a philanthropist, scholar, and noted allergist who
founded the John P. McGovern Foundation in Houston. Dr. McGovern established a
permanent endowment at TMAF, which supports this award.
TMA is the largest state medical society
in the nation, representing more than 48,000 physician and medical student
members. It is located in Austin and has 110 component county medical societies
around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of
all Texans. TMA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the association and
raises funds to support the health improvement and science priority
initiatives of TMA and the family of medicine.
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Contact: Pam Udall
phone: (512) 370-1382
cell: (512) 413-6807
Brent Annear
phone: (512) 370-1381
cell: (512) 656-7320
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