Monmouth Medical Center Celebrates ‘Day of Dance’ in Recognition of American Heart Month

Hundreds of women recently came together at Eatontown’s Monmouth Mall to take part in Day of Dance & Go Red for Women Day Health Fair, Monmouth Medical Center’s kick-off event for Spirit of Women, an alliance of health care providers that are committed to high standards of excellence in women’s health, education and community outreach.

Monmouth Medical Center is Monmouth County’s exclusive Spirit of Women hospital, and through this alliance, has been designated a HeartCaring hospital, a national designation reserved for a select group of hospitals and clinicians that signifies excellence in women’s cardiovascular care.  Sponsored by Monmouth Medical Center, in conjunction with the American Heart Association and 94.3 The Point, the event featured Tai Chi and Zumba demonstrations as well as a special appearance by the Monmouth University Dance Team, healthy cooking and CPR demonstrations, health information, giveaways, prizes and raffles.

“Our clinicians recognize that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women and that it is also largely preventable,” said Monmouth Medical Center’s chief nursing officer Diann Johnston, who noted that the hospital provided more than 230 women with health screenings for BMI, body composition, cholesterol, blood pressure and overall cardiac risk.

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, of New Jersey’s 11th district, served as keynote speaker for the event, emphasizing the importance of women making their own health a priority.

“It is startling for me as a woman to know that heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined. So often we as women are so busy taking care of everyone else that we put our own health concerns aside. The reality is we can't do our jobs and be there for our families if we are not taking care of ourselves,” said Assemblywoman Casagrande. “We are here today to encourage women – and men – to take action and reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke."

A month-long national observance, American Heart Month urges citizens to recognize the nationwide problem of heart and blood vessel diseases and support all essential programs designed to solve the problem. Barnabas Health’s southern region hospitals, which in addition to Monmouth include Ocean County’s Community Medical Center and Kimball Medical Center, are the region’s exclusive HeartCaring hospitals, a national designation reserved for a select group of hospitals and clinicians that signifies excellence in women’s cardiovascular care. To demonstrate their support of American Heart Month, the exterior of buildings at Community, Kimball and Monmouth Medical Centers have been illuminated in red in partnership with the American Heart Association’s national Go Red For Women campaign. 

Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. It is also one of the most preventable. Monmouth Medical Center and its fellow Barnabas Health Heart Centers are hosting a range of screening events, educational programs, nutritional and heart disease risk assessments, and family-focused programs at Barnabas Health hospitals and community-based centers. From infant CPR courses to cardiac physicians explaining the latest guidelines for preventing heart attack and stroke, all the activities are designed to improve the heart health of New Jersey residents.

For a full calendar of Barnabas Health Heart Centers events, visit www.BarnabasHealth.org/heartcenters .

About Monmouth Medical Center
Located in Long Branch, N.J., Monmouth Medical Center, a Barnabas Health facility, along with The Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center, is one of New Jersey's largest academic medical centers and has been a teaching affiliate of Philadelphia’s Drexel University College of Medicine for more than 40 years. From its earliest days, Monmouth Medical Center has been a leader in surgical advancement and has introduced many technological firsts to the region, including robotic surgery and other minimally invasive techniques. The hospital is routinely recognized by HealthGrades, the nation’s largest premier independent health care quality company, for excellence in both emergency medicine and maternity care. U.S. News & World Report has recognized Monmouth as a regional leader in cancer, geriatrics, gynecology, neurology and neurosurgery. For more information on Monmouth Medical Center, visit www.barnabashealth.org.