Over 100 Montefiore Associates Participate in Event Hosted by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.

Montefiore's Tour de Bronx Team

New York City, NY (October 23, 2011) - On Sunday, October 23, 2011, over 100 Montefiore Medical Center associates and patients participated in the 17^th Annual Tour de Bronx, New York State's largest free bicycling event.  Sponsored by Montefiore and hosted by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., the unique event attracted thousands of cyclists throughout the tri-state area and beyond to tour the borough's beautiful neighborhoods and scenic attractions. Co-sponsors of the event included Transportation Alternatives, The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, the Bronx Tourism Council, St. Barnabas Hospital and Bronx Lebanon Medical Center.

"The Tour de Bronx is a perfect way to promote health and wellness and to discover all that the Bronx has to offer," said Steven M. Safyer, MD, President and CEO of Montefiore Medical Center.  "This annual event demonstrates Montefiore's commitment to partner with other organizations in the Bronx to strengthen our communities and enhance well-being."

"I am thrilled to join my fellow Bronxites and thousands of out-of-town visitors in our borough to ride along and see the Bronx in a new way," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.  "Riding a bike around our borough is the healthiest way to experience the borough from the unique vantage point."

(L-R) Peter Alan Selwyn, MD, MPH, Director of the Office of Community Health at Montefiore Medical Center and Chair of the Department of Family and Social Medicine; Roberto S. Garcia, Director of Community Relations, Montefiore Medical Center; Nicole Hollingsworth, MA, CHES, Director of Patient Health Education, Montefiore Medical Center; Constance Moran, Bronx Borough Transportation Commissioner; Ruben Diaz Jr., Bronx Borough President

The event offered both a 25 and 40 mile course, each of which winds through dozens of beautiful Bronx neighborhoods. Montefiore's participation in the event was coordinated by the Office of Community Relations in partnership with the Office of Community Health and Patient Health Education, as one of the many "To Your Health!" associate wellness activities.

"This is just another way to encourage associates and patients to be active and participate in exercise and wellness activities," said Roberto S. Garcia, Senior Director, Office of Community Relations at Montefiore Medical Center. "In fact, Montefiore's Bike to Work Team encourages associates who are or wish to consider biking to work by supplying safety information, route assistance, shower facilities and over 40 bike racks at various medical center sites."  

"As the growing epidemic of obesity and diabetes impacts heavily on the Bronx, it is essential for us to support health promotion and wellness activities for our patients, our communities, our co-workers and ourselves," said Peter Alan Selwyn, MD, MPH, Director of the Office of Community Health at Montefiore Medical Center and Chair of the Department of Family and Social Medicine.  "Events such as the Tour de Bronx are a great way to increase awareness about the importance of exercise and a healthy environment."