AUTHOR AND FOOD NETWORK CHEF DAISY MARTINEZ HELPS LUTHERAN KICK OFF NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK

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AUTHOR AND FOOD NETWORK CHEF DAISY MARTINEZ HELPS LUTHERAN KICK OFF NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK
Healthy cooking contest, information and health screenings to underscore vital role of community health centers

August 13, 2010, Brooklyn, NY…Lutheran Family Health Centers (LFHC), one of the largest health center networks and medical homes in the country, kicked off National Health Center Week with a wellness fair and healthy cook-off contest, guest judged by Food Network star, Daisy Martinez.

Earlier in the week, President Barack Obama issued a proclamation recognizing August 8 - 14, 2010 as National Health Center Week. "During National Health Center Week, we recognize the important work of Community Health Centers for their role in providing quality, accessible, and affordable patient care as we strive to build a health care system equipped for the 21st century," said the President.

Lutheran challenged its more than 4,000 staffers to develop and cook (from scratch) tasty foods that were also healthy. The cook off contest was judged (for flavor, texture, presentations and nutritional value) by a panel of community leaders including Reverend Dr. Samuel Fook Wong, president, Sunset Park Health Council, Inc.; Carol A. Dooley, senior vice president at LFHC; Larry K. McReynolds, LFHC executive director; Wendy Z. Goldstein, president and CEO, Lutheran HealthCare; and Food Network star and best selling author, Daisy Martinez.

"We want people to be healthy by finding a family doctor at their local medical home, adopting healthy lifestyles, and of course eating healthier foods," explained Larry K. McReynolds, executive director, LFHC. "It's not impossible to cook both healthy and good tasting homemade food, as our creative staff proved today."

"This event was a fun way to promote healthy home cooked meals," explained Daisy Martinez. "It was an honor to help kick off National Health Center Week and as a Brooklynite, it is easy to see the important role that Lutheran plays here in Brooklyn and across New York."

The prize winning recipes included a lentil salad submitted by William Pagano, M.D., site medical director, Occupational Health Services, and rainbow tofu submitted by Wulei (Ann) Tang, clerical supervisor, Park Ridge FHC, which tied for first place in the entrée category. A traditional Irish soda bread, submitted by Cathy Madden, associate director of Performance Management, won first place for desserts.

The event also included cooking demonstrations from Cornell Cooperative Extension, health information, screenings and a special visit from Assemblyman Felix Ortiz. LFHC continues its National Health Center Week celebration with the following free screenings and health education events: August 13 at the Rainbow Playground at 6th Avenue and 56th Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on August 14 at the LFHC Caribbean-American Family Health Center at 3414 Church Ave from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Event photos available on Lutheran's Facebook page!

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