HealthCorps Announces Inaugural Sacramento Gala, "Journey to Oz," to Address Child Obesity Crisis

Hosted by Co-Founders Dr. Mehmet Oz and Lisa Oz, Celebrity Guests Include Montel Williams, Dr. Dean Ornish, Ben Vereen and Mayor Kevin Johnson

NEW YORK, April 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- HealthCorps® (www.healthcorps.org) will hold its first Annual Gala, "Journey to Oz," co-hosted by founders Dr. Mehmet Oz and his wife Lisa Oz, Monday, April 30, at Sacramento Memorial Auditorium from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The event will raise funds for the non-profit's national wellness movement and proven high school mentoring program, as well as new initiatives to expand impact throughout the country. Celebrity guests will include Montel Williams, Dr. Dean Ornish, Ben Vereen and Mayor Kevin Johnson. Event Co-Chairs are Dennis Balint, CEO of the California Walnut Commission, and culinary specialists Patrick & Bobbin Mulvaney.

"Journey to Oz" guests will be treated to a performance from Broadway actor and performer Ben Vereen, an original song and dance composition from Broadway actor Stepp Stewart and local dancers from Step 1 Dance and Fitness.  The Gala will include a red carpet, local wine and foods and several prize drawings.  The evening will also mark the formal launch of HealthCorps' first marketing campaign, "WhatRUHungry4?" To purchase tickets, visit: https://www.healthcorps.org/journeytooz

Dr. Oz, HealthCorps Chairman, renowned heart surgeon and Emmy® Award-winning host of the Emmy® Award-winning "The Dr. Oz Show," and wife Lisa founded HealthCorps nine years ago to help stem the child obesity and mental resilience crises by engaging youth as the catalyst to get Americans to make simple lifestyle changes that will enhance their health for a lifetime.

"HealthCorps has received substantial support from California organizations, so I'm delighted to have the opportunity to thank them personally at our first Sacramento Gala fundraiser," said Dr. Oz. "We anticipate strong growth in the state for our high school health mentoring program, which is creating a new generation of health advocates among teens." 

Michelle Bouchard, HealthCorps President, said, "California will soon be HealthCorps' largest market, so we're thrilled to be holding a Gala in Sacramento where we opened a second home office last year.  Our sponsors and partners in the state are helping us reach more youth, families and community members with our mission to heal and give Americans purpose and fulfillment.  Through our new campaign "WhatRUHungry4?" we plan to further extend our wellness movement."

HealthCorps major sponsors include Evamor Artesian Water; USANA Health Sciences Inc.; the Dalio Foundation; the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene; the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services; the California Endowment; the California Department of Public Health; Anthem Blue Cross Foundation; the California Walnut Board; Florida East Coast Realty; The Institute for Integrative Health; Sanofi US; Columbia Presbyterian Department of Surgery; VEMMA Nutrition Company; and 24 Hour Fitness.

The heart of HealthCorps, a network of Health Coordinators, are recent college graduates who defer medical school or graduate health studies for two years to work full time in an assigned public high school in an underserved community.  They carry out a core curriculum on fitness, nutrition and mental strength.  As mentors, Coordinators help students find purpose and direction by getting them to identify the true source of their hunger, which transcends food choices in most cases. HealthCorps' mission also includes extending its message to family members, friends and community residents through public service. 

Proceeds raised at the Gala will be used to establish HealthCorps' curriculum in additional high schools; launch HealthCorps University, a progressive training program for teachers; and enhance the organization's function as a research vehicle for health messaging and polling.  By 2015, HealthCorps hopes to have a presence in 100 schools. 

About HealthCorps
HealthCorps® (www.healthcorps.org), a 501(c)(3) co-founded by world-renowned cardiac surgeon and two-time Emmy® Award-winning host Dr. Mehmet Oz and his wife Lisa Oz, is building a movement to get to the underbelly of the childhood obesity by helping Americans discover what they are really hungry for and why.  HealthCorps "Coordinators" carry out unique in-school and community programming targeting high-need populations. Using peer-mentoring to deliver a progressive health curriculum, HealthCorps Coordinators give teens purpose, help develop human character and inspire an interest in health and culinary arts careers. HealthCorps also serves as a unique research laboratory - exploring the complex, underlying causes of the obesity crisis and discovering and communicating solutions. HealthCorps is bringing many initiatives together to address the "Whole Child" and activate the students' mind, body and spirit. As a result, HealthCorps is transforming the educational paradigm one school at a time. The program network spans 53 schools in 13 states.  Please follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/healthcorps and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthCorps.

SOURCE HealthCorps