Harry Carson Named Celebrity Spokesperson for Meridian Neuroscience

Former New York Giant helps make a positive change in the health of the community

NEPTUNE, N.J., Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Meridian Health is proud to announce a partnership with Harry Carson as its celebrity spokesperson for stroke, concussion, and other neurological conditions.  Harry Carson, Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Captain of the New York Giants, is an advocate for concussion and stroke awareness and has partnered with Meridian Neuroscience as they offer the region's most complete line-up of neuroscience services for stroke, spine injuries, epilepsy, brain tumors,  movement and memory disorders and more.

As part of its mission to improve the health of the community, Meridian conducts a Community Health Needs Assessment to help determine the health status, behaviors and needs of residents in Monmouth and Ocean counties.  Recent results have indicated that the prevalence of stroke in the two county region has doubled in the past five years.  Nationally, stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability, with risk factors and mortality rates being higher among minority populations, especially African Americans. 

"I am excited to start this journey as the spokesperson for Meridian Neuroscience," said Carson.  "I look forward to building awareness around stroke and concussions while encouraging the community to live a healthy lifestyle." 

Harry has served as an Advisor to the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and as a member of the Brain Injury Association's Sports Injury Prevention Council. Former Governor Christine Whitman appointed Carson as a member of the New Jersey Advisory Council on Traumatic Brain Injury, and he has established himself as an authority and internationally recognized speaker on Concussions in Sports.

"Many people have been inspired by what Harry has done on the football field, and I know more people will be touched by his commitment to reducing the risk and recognizing signs of stroke and concussion, along with other neuroscience conditions," said Stephen Martino, M.D., medical director of the Stroke Program for Meridian Neuroscience.  "His deep commitment to this cause is great news for our entire community." 

Meridian Neuroscience is staffed by dedicated physicians and nurses skilled in diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries which threaten these critical controls and nerve centers of the body.  It is home to five nationally accredited Primary Stroke Centers and the region's only Stroke Rescue Center at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

Harry Carson's 13-year stint with the New York Football Giants is one of the longest tenures in club history. The former linebacker served as Team Captain for 10 of his 13 seasons including the 1986 season when the Giants won Super Bowl XXI. Rated the #1 "Inside Linebacker" in NFL history according to Pro Football Weekly, Carson was named to the All-NFL Team 7 times, the All-NFC Team 8 times, and NFC Linebacker of the Year twice. He was also selected by his peers to play in the NFC-AFC Pro Bowl 9 times. He is among the top 250 players to ever play professional football with his induction as the 231st member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

About Meridian Health
Meridian Health (www.meridianhealth.com) is a leading not-for-profit health care organization in New Jersey, comprising Jersey Shore University Medical Center and K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital in Neptune, Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel, and Meridian Partner Companies that include home health services, skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, ambulatory care, ambulance services, and outpatient centers. Meridian Health has consistently been rated among the top performing health systems in New Jersey for clinical quality, is one of the FORTUNE "100 Best Companies to Work For", and is the recipient of numerous state and national recognitions for patient care and nursing excellence, including the distinction of being the first health system in the country to receive Magnet designation for nursing.

Contact: Robert Cavanaugh, 732-751-3451, [email protected]

SOURCE Meridian Health