EWING, NJ March 24, 2022 – The School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science (SNHES) at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) has been selected as a national Healthy People 2030 Champion by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHSS). Founded by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), Healthy People 2030 is a set of data-driven health improvement objectives for the next decade. Institutions designated as Healthy People 2030 Champions consist of public and private organizations that impact health outcomes at state, tribal and local levels—and embody Healthy People’s goals and objectives.

Selected Healthy People 2030 Champions are recognized by ODPHP as health leaders for an entire decade. Laura Bruno, associate professor of health and exercise science, remarks, “Earning this designation not only supports our mission but further articulates how our graduates are uniquely prepared to become impactful agents of change in their respective future careers. As a school, this designation speaks volumes of our programs, the education our students receive, and the value and commitment we place on improving the health and well-being of all.”

Anne Farrell, chair and professor of the same department, adds, “To be selected as a Healthy People 2030 Champion is verification and ongoing support of the work each department within the School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science is doing and will continue to do to train and help individuals reach optimal health and well-being.”

Tracy Perron, department chair and professor of nursing at TCNJ’s SNHES, comments on the School’s alignment with Healthy People 2030 objectives: “We embrace our responsibility as a public institution to address the needs of New Jersey’s citizens and communities. Our service to the state focuses on promoting wellness and improving health through education, research, and outreach in both professional and community settings. Our focus is to prioritize learning experiences that bring attention to, and help narrow, health inequities in our communities, while also contributing to positive, systemic change in our various professions.”

Expanding on the benefits of winning this recognition for the School’s public health program, associate professor of public health, Marina De Souza, explains, “Being designated a partner of this highly competitive initiative highlights TCNJ`s public health program`s commitment to taking action and empowering individuals, organizations, and communities to promote health and prevent diseases. It also gives public health undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to practice and learn from hands-on experiences that have been developed and led by our faculty.”

As a reward for winning the Healthy People 2030 Champion award, recipients are encouraged to use the official winner’s emblem on all digital assets. In addition, designated organizations are given access to information, tools and resources to help them promote Healthy People 2030 goals and objectives—which include improving outcomes in areas such as health conditions, health behaviors, specific populations, settings and systems, and social determinants of health.

TCNJ’s School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science’s Dean Carole Kenner explains, “This award is a testament to the brilliant work of our educators and students. Our teacher-scholar model expands beyond the classroom to local, state and national levels. Our school is honored to be recognized as a Healthy People 2030 Champion.”

TCNJ’s School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science educates aspiring health professionals to become future leaders across the healthcare industry. Faculty work closely with local healthcare partners to provide students with applicative skills and foundational knowledge. The nationally acclaimed school is dedicated to preparing individuals—through programs in nursing, public health, exercise science, and physical education teaching—for the many rewards of guiding people, communities, and populations toward improved health outcomes.

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