For Immediate Release:

MEDIA ALERT: Orthopaedic surgeons and local partners challenge New Orleanians to keep their “Communities in Motion”

Empowering families to take control of their bone and joint health for life in first AAOS fitness event in New Orleans area

PHOTO AND LIVE SHOT OPPORTUNITIES
  • Kids and parents participating in fast-paced interactive challenge stations to practice balance and flexibility, agility, aerobic, core strengthening, upper body and lower body exercises to keep their bones and joints strong for life.
  • Special appearances by Jefferson Parish council persons, the New Orleans Saints mascot, and Saintsation cheerleaders.
  • A New Orleans Saints player and athletic trainers working with community kids and parents on agility exercise drills.
WHAT: More than 150 kids and adults will run, leap and jump alongside orthopaedic surgeon “team docs” in an interactive bone and joint health-focused fitness event. Orthopaedic surgeons—the doctors who treat many people with bone and joint injuries and physical disabilities—make movement their mission. The goal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ (AAOS) Communities in Motion event—an extension of the A Nation in Motion® campaign—is to show people of all ages that exercise can be fun and that they, too, can get up, get out and get moving.

AAOS members are partnering with the Ochsner Sports Medicine Institute and New Orleans Saints athletic training teams, the New Orleans Saints mascot and Saintsation cheerleaders to cheer on members of the community surrounding Jefferson Playground, and show people of all ages different ways they could strengthen their bones for life.
WHERE: Jefferson Playground, located at 4100 South Dr., Jefferson, LA 70121
WHEN: Tuesday, March 6, 2018
5:30 PM Opening remarks/event kick-off with orthopaedic spine surgeon Alan S. Hilibrand, MD;
Jefferson Parish Council President, the Honorable Mike Yenni; Jefferson Parish Councilman Paul Johnston; and, New Orleans Saint tight end, Trey Edmunds
5:40 PM Warm-up session; Start of kids and parents rotating to one of six physical activity stations, and nutrition station
7:30 PM Closing remarks; Community dinner; Gift presentation to Jefferson Playground Booster Club
NOTE: This event is not open to the general public. Event photos will be made available by Wednesday morning.
WHY: “Exercise and nutrition can help improve balance, flexibility and strength. That’s an important part of building strong bones for life. Keeping kids, adults and communities in motion now can help minimize their chances of developing obesity, and bone and joint health issues later. Our local partners from the Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Public Health have been instrumental in helping us develop healthy connections with organizations like Aetna Better Health of Louisiana, The Dairy Alliance, the National Dairy Council, Fuel Up to Play 60, the LSU Ag Center, and Ochsner Sports Medicine Institute. The AAOS is proud of the team that we’ve rallied together to make this an even more meaningful event for the community,” says orthopaedic surgeon Alan S. Hilibrand, MD who specializes in conditions of the spine.
SOUND BITE: “My sincere thanks goes to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons for encouraging Jefferson Parish families to stay active and live healthy lifestyles,” says Jefferson Parish President Michael S. Yenni. “One goal of my administration is build safe and viable playgrounds in communities across the Parish. ‘Communities in Motion’ is an excellent example of the types of programs we want to see that help bring families together in a fun and safe environment.”
BACKGROUND: In 2010, more than 300 AAOS and community volunteers gathered to help make a safe and accessible playground a reality at Jefferson Playground. This year, the AAOS is returning to Jefferson Playground to help empower children and adults to take control of their bone and joint health, and have fun while exercising together.

Attendees to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ (AAOS) Annual Meeting at the Morial Convention Center—the world’s largest meeting of orthopaedic surgeons, researchers, and allied health professionals—alongside Jefferson Parish’s council board members, members of Jefferson Parish Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Jefferson Playground Booster Club promoted awareness of healthy bone and joint behaviors and lifestyle choices to community kids and adults.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

With more than 38,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) is the world’s largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists. The AAOS provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals, champions and advances the highest quality musculoskeletal care for patients, and is the authoritative source of information on bone and joint conditions, treatments and related issues.

Jefferson Parish Department of Parks & Recreation

The Jefferson Parish Department of Parks & Recreation, often referred to as JPRD, offers a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional recreational activities for adults, teens and children. This includes athletic programs, senior citizen activities and clubs, alternative programs, community enrichment programs, camps and a wide variety of classes and special events. In addition, JPRD offers a number of options for rentals of rooms, fields, and shelters. 

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