Health Fitness Corporation Emphasizes Science Behind Health and Fitness Management with New RDO Division
Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) June 28, 2007 -- HealthFitness (OTC BB: HFIT) is putting more than a few exceptional heads together to advance the science behind fitness and health management.
HealthFitness is a leading provider of employee health management programs with more than 400 fitness centers globally and a suite of health management services offered on-site, Web-based and telephonically. The company has recently recruited some of the top minds in the industry to staff its Research, Development and Outcomes (RDO) division under the leadership of Chief Science Officer Peter A. Egan, Ph.D.
"This move directly aligns product development with science, research and outcomes, allowing HealthFitness to provide clients with stronger evidenced-based program offerings," said Gregg Lehman, Ph.D., president and CEO of HealthFitness. "Pete is a great fit as the leader of HealthFitness?s scientific knowledge base. He has specialized in the design and architecture of health and fitness database systems for more than 20 years, and is a co-founder of HealthCalc.Net Inc., which HealthFitness acquired in late 2005."
Egan holds a doctorate in exercise physiology from the University of New Mexico. For his doctoral dissertation in 1991, he designed comprehensive database software for exercise testing. Prior to founding HealthCalc in 1995, Egan worked seven years at Sandia National Labs in New Mexico, managing their comprehensive wellness programs. Egan is a member of the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO) consortium and holds memberships in the National Wellness Association, American Society of Exercise Physiologists, and the American College of Sports Medicine.
(more)
HealthFitness has engaged five experienced pacesetters in the industry to lead areas within RDO:
? Edward Framer, Ph.D., continues to serve as HealthFitness?s director of health and behavioral sciences. A behavioral psychologist with a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of North Texas, Framer has been involved in the development of health assessments and health promotion interventions for more than 20 years. Prior to working for HealthFitness, he served as vice president of health sciences for HealthCalc Network. Framer is a past-president of the Society of Prospective Medicine and holds current memberships in the American Psychological Association, the Association for Behavior Analysis, and the Institute for Health & Productivity Management.
? Yosuke Chikamoto, Ph.D., recently joined HealthFitness as research director. Chikomato has 14 years? experience in academics, focusing on effective delivery strategies for comprehensive health programs from behavioral, economic and policy perspectives. He served as assistant professor of health promotion management at American University, assistant professor of health science at California State University-Fullerton, and research and development manager and a director of technology and research at the Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention. His professional expertise lies in the use of technology in health assessments and risk reduction. Chikamoto received a Ph.D in health education from The Pennsylvania State University.
? Tanja Madsen, CHES, serves as HealthFitness?s director of program development, and was a key contributor to the development of the company?s EMPOWERED? Health Coaching program, which integrates individual coaching with remote Web and telephonic coaching. Madsen brings more than 20 years of account services experience to her position, including the management and delivery of health and wellness programs, health assessments, screenings, interventions, and consulting. She was also responsible for launching and managing a portfolio of health improvement program partnerships for HealthFitness. She is a certified health education specialist and a Totally Coached® Program graduate, with a bachelor of science in health education and a business minor from Pennsylvania State University.
? Bruce Guthmann, MS, serves as director of strategic solutions. He brings nearly 20 years? experience integrating health and group benefits with health and productivity solutions. His background includes 12 years at Champion International Corporation, where he participated on the leadership team responsible for delivering data-driven health enhancement solutions that received the C. Everett Koop Award. Guthmann also spent four years with Mercer Human Resource Consulting. He holds a master of science degree in exercise physiology from Texas A&M University.
? Earl Thompson, MS, joins HealthFitness as director of outcomes reporting July 2. Thompson has more than 21 years? experience in the Blue Cross Blue Shield network holding positions in corporate and marketing research, and management over actuarial and information systems. He spent seven years at Harris Health Trends as an outcomes consultant for major corporations. Thompson holds a master?s degree and has completed studies towards a doctorate in educational research and measurement from the University of Toledo. Thompson is a member of the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO) consortium for the advancement of the science of measurement in the wellness field. He also serves on a committee of the Disease Management Association of America for the development of wellness programming standards.
Mr. Thompson has developed new methodologies for the assessment of health management program effects. He has presented his work for many large organizations including General Motors, Ford, Union Pacific Railroad, Xerox, PepsiCo, Johnson & Johnson, Dell, State of Tennessee, Yankee Candle, Kellogg, Experian, Morgan-Stanley, and several of the Blue Cross Blue Shield plans.
"This group carries with it a deep understanding and maturity in the field that is unmatched, and the whole creates a creative synergy that is greater than the component parts," Egan said. "It is a team that can easily lead on the academic side and then tap into one another?s expertise and apply the science to HealthFitness?s projects and programs. We are completely focused on developing innovative, engaging, effective solutions based on a scientific foundation that benefits our clients, participants, associates and the health and fitness industry."
Egan said HealthFitness?s recently appointed Science Advisory Board, composed of independent, nationally recognized experts in areas such as nutrition and obesity, exercise and fitness, behavior change, outcomes research and managed care, will coordinate as a valued additional resource to the RDO team and to the company as a whole.
"They review the quality and relevance of the scientific and technical basis of our products and services, deliver guidance on the appropriate implementation of products and services, and advise us on a broad range of scientific topics and emerging trends," he said.
To learn more about the Science Advisory Board and its chairman, go to www.hfit.com and http://www.hfit.com/williamhaskell
About HealthFitness
HealthFitness is a leading provider of employee health improvement services to Fortune 500 companies, the health care industry and individual consumers. Serving clients for more than 30 years, HealthFitness partners with employers to effectively manage their health care and productivity costs by improving individual health and well-being. HealthFitness serves more than 400 clients globally via on-site management and remotely via Web and telephonic services. HealthFitness provides a complete portfolio of health and fitness management solutions including a proprietary health risk assessment platform, screenings, EMPOWERED? Health Coaching and delivery of health improvement programs. HealthFitness employs more than 3,000 health and fitness professionals in national and international locations who are committed to the company?s mission of "improving the health and well-being of the people we serve." For more information on HealthFitness, visit www.hfit.com.
Editors: If you would like to interview HealthFitness CEO, Gregg Lehman, contact Katherine H. Capps- Health2 Resources 703-319-0957 or kcapps @ health2resources.com
This press release was distributed through eMediawire by Human Resources Marketer (HR Marketer: www.HRmarketer.com) on behalf of the company listed above.
CONTACT: Karla Hurter, 703-319-0957 Health2 Resources
khurter @ health2resources.com
# # #
Related Articles:
Can A Portable Exercise Bike Help You Work Your Way To Fitness?
A portable exercise bike serves the same purpose as its bigger counterpart, be it recumbent or upright. It was designed to tone the muscles of the legs, thighs and buttocks. However, sacrificing the size for portability might also mean that the device sacrifices some of its effectiveness.
Author, Fitness Pro and Healer Carolyn Cooper Announces New Training in Energy Therapy Technique Calyco Healing
Carolyn Cooper's Calyco Healing training is now available to the public. The training teaches easy-to-learn energy therapy techniques. Energy healing is becoming more accepted, as evidenced by the National Institutes of Health initiative launched in 2005 that includes the scientific study of energy therapy as part of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Sen. Dave Durenberger Joins Health Fitness Corporation's Board of Directors
"Sen. Durenberger is highly recognized and respected nationwide for his extensive knowledge of both business and health care," said Mark W. Sheffert, chairman of HFC's board. "His insight and guidance will certainly be additive to the direction and governance of the organization."
Eric Bonilla, Owner of Premier-Sport-Fitness.com, Gives Healthy Tips that Every Dieter Should Know
Halloween is the time when weight gain usually starts, although December is usually blamed for the Holiday weight gain. Here are four tips that allow you to have a Halloween treat and still keep those pounds off.
Women's Fitness (BACK & LATS)
Women's Fitness (BACK & LATS)
Leading Fitness Site Announces Custom Online Workout Programs and Nutrition Services
HyperStrike offers in-gym fitness kiosks to maximize member experience with online workout programs, nutrition services, and fitness assessments.
Sean Cochran Enterprises and Phil Mickelson's Personal Trainer, Sean Cochran, Announce the Release of his Core Golf Fitness Book and DVD
Sean Cochran is pleased to announce the release of his Core Golf Fitness book and DVD to the general public. Sean Cochran one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors on the PGA Tour today presents to you a comprehensive golf fitness program of flexibility, balance, strength, and power drills to improve your golf swing. Sean takes you step-by-step through the golf fitness exercises used by the best golfers in the world. No matter your skill level this book and DVD has the program to take your golf game to the next level.
Fitness Equipments You Need For Your Own Home Gym
Do you dream of having that perfect well-toned body, but you don't have the time or motivation to go to the nearest fitness center? If that's the case, why not consider buying some fitness equipments and converting your house into a gym?
Former Professional Wrestling Women's Champion and Spiderman Star Erica D. Porter will be at Chicago's Better Your Body Fitness Expo on September 29
Erica D. Porter will be at Chicago's Better Your Body Health and Fitness Expo for a book signing on September 29th and 30th, booth 803 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. each day. www.eatthatmonkey.com, www.junglegrrrl.net
World's Best Casino Spa Offers SpaGen to Provide Personalized Nutritional Program Supporting Beauty and Fitness from the Inside Out
The world's only genetic personalized nutritional support program -- SpaGen -- is now available at Bellagio -- one of the world's most exclusive resorts.
Fun, Fitness, And Self Defense All Rolled Into One.
My wife puts up with a lot, and I love her dearly, and I?m always grateful for the utter lapse in judgement she had in marrying me, over the advice of her friends. She?s appreciated that I do martial arts and that I write about it, and that makes us some money, but she?s always kind of regarded getting thrown on a mat, or punched in the ribs as ?A guy thing?, if you know what I mean, so she?s never really participated. It took a lot of promising to do the dishes, but I got her to sign up for the dojo?s kickboxing routine as a fitness program.
Twenty-Five Club Milestone and Growing for South Beach Upscale Women's Fitness Brand
Elements™ is a premium fitness and living brand for women. The company offers fitness and weight loss services throughout a network of upscale, boutique style health clubs. Elements™ differs from other health club providers in its "balanced lifestyle" approach to fitness, which includes the following components: body, beauty, and mind.
Fitness Together Muscles up Global Franchise Strengthens Placement in Top Franchises Rankings
Fitness Together, the world's largest personal training organization, has moved up in Entrepreneur magazine's three Top Franchises rankings. The announcement was made by company CEO Rick Sikorski.
Fitness Together moved up in the "Franchise 500" ranking. The company weighs in at #77 for 2007, compared to #118 in 2006. In the "Top Global Franchises" category for 2007, Fitness Together was ranked #72. In 2006, it ranked #96. Lastly, the international fitness franchise was ranked #41 in the "Fastest Growing Franchises" category. Last year, it placed at #52.
The Five Biggest Weight Loss and Fitness Myths
WEIGHT LOSS AND FITNESS MYTH #1:Dieting will eliminate fat.Your body can't discriminate between intentional calorie deprivation (as in a diet), and starvation.
Fat Flush Fitness Plan
If you aren?t already familiar with the fat flush fitness plan you?ve been missing out on an opportunity to loose as much weight as you like. There are thousands that are talking about nothing other than the fat flush fitness program as they watch those additional pounds melt away.