ServiceNation - Summit and National Day of Service

Dr. Oz, Founder of HealthCorps^®, Speaks at ServiceNation Summit Gathering of National Leaders includes Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Caroline Kennedy, Martin Luther King III, Queen Noor of Jordan and Usher

NEW YORK-September 12, 2008-Dr. Mehmet Oz, renowned heart surgeon and Chairman of HealthCorps^® (www.healthcorps.org), represented the proactive national health movement he founded at the ServiceNation Summit on September 12 at the New York Hilton. He spoke at 5:42 p.m. before Governor Schwarzenegger's address.

As a member of the ServiceNation Summit Leadership Council, Dr. Oz joined a roster of national leaders from a range of industries who endorse a comprehensive proposal to encourage national service throughout the United States.

HealthCorps' school-based peer mentoring program, with a strong community outreach arm, is expanding across the country. Like the Peace Corps, HealthCorps deploys recent college graduates who defer medical school or graduate studies in the health field for two years, to empower teens to become educated consumers and health activists. For the future, HealthCorps plans to bring its 45-school program to additional states and evolve into the most trusted brand for proactive health and wellness in America by prioritizing prevention and personal responsibility.

The historic ServiceNation Summit began the evening of Thursday, September 11, 2008, with a Presidential Forum featuring Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama. On September 12, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg opened the day-long summit with welcoming remarks and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was the keynote speaker. Dr. Oz introduced Governor Schwarzenegger's address and discussed how he started HealthCorps five years ago in an effort to utilize national service to battle obesity.

ServiceNation's bipartisan Summit Leadership Council included mayors, governors, former senators and leaders from every sector of American society. Major supporters - in addition to AARP, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Target and TIME - included the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, The Home Depot Foundation, Bank Of America, Case Foundation, Charina Endowment Fund, The Jenesis Group, the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund and Goldman Sachs.

As Health Expert on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Oz has parlayed his exceptionally broad knowledge of medicine into layman-friendly terms that have earned him the title, "America's Doctor." In September 2009 he will host The Dr. Oz Show, a syndicated talk show produced by Harpo Productions.

Transcript of remarks by Dr. Mehmet C. Oz

Dr. Oz and Tobey Maguire.

Dr. Oz, Tobey Maguire and Usher.

Jon Bon Jovi and Dr. Oz.

Dr. Oz signs the Declaration of Service.

Dr. Oz addresses the ServiceNation Summit

Dr. Oz addresses the ServiceNation Summit.

Dr. Oz Leads "Get Fit with HealthCorps^®," a Massive Zumba Fitness Class at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center to Honor Designated Day of National Service Event took place at the American Diabetes Association's Diabetes Expo

NEW YORK-September 20, 2008-HealthCorps^® (www.healthcorps.org), the proactive health movement founded by Dr. Mehmet Oz, renowned heart surgeon and best-selling author, led a Zumba Latin fitness demonstration during the Diabetes Expo at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on September 27 from noon to 2 p.m.

At 1 p.m. Dr. Oz held a press conference with celebrities, public officials and executives from the American Diabetes Association to underscore HealthCorps' commitment to fighting child obesity and diabetes. "Get Fit with HealthCorps" represented a response to ServiceNation's call for a Day of Action on September 27 to reach out to Americans across the nation about the vital need for more national service and community activism.

According to Dr. Oz, "We can't remedy our country's health crisis by legislating solutions. I created HealthCorps to send volunteers to our nation's high schools to mentor their adopted brothers and sisters. They're making health cool and hip. Besides eating smart and exercising wisely, they're teaching mental resilience and addressing underserved communities. I applaud the ServiceNation's organizers who have inspired us to set ambitious, but what we believe to be attainable goals - such as a 2012 deadline for 5,000 HealthCorps Coordinators in the field."

ServiceNation is a broad, bi-partisan coalition of organizations, leaders and citizens who believe in the power of service to transform America. Culminating in over 2,500 events nationwide, the Day of Action marked ServiceNation's initiative to show the impact that service has on the country and the power of Americans to create large-scale change.

As a member of the ServiceNation Leadership Council, Dr. Oz leads the HealthCorps initiative and joins such national leaders and celebrities as Usher, Bette Midler, Senator Hilary Clinton, Caroline Kennedy, Martin Luther King III, Queen Noor of Jordan and Mayor Michael Bloomberg who endorse a comprehensive proposal to encourage national service throughout the United States.

Reflecting national service in action, HealthCorps' school-based peer mentoring program, with a strong community outreach arm, is expanding across the country. Like the Peace Corps, HealthCorps deploys recent college graduates who defer medical school or graduate studies in the health field for two years to empower teens to become educated consumers and health activists. For the future, HealthCorps plans to bring its 45-school program to additional states, launch a consumer education program and evolve into the most trusted brand for proactive health and wellness in America by prioritizing prevention and personal responsibility.

As Health Expert on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Oz has parlayed his exceptionally broad knowledge of medicine into layman-friendly terms that have earned him the title, "America's Doctor." In September 2009 he will host The Dr. Oz Show, a syndicated talk show produced by Harpo Productions.

Photos from National Day of Service:

HealthCorps^® booth at Diabetes Expo.

Yong Cedro leads the free Zumba^® class
at the Diabetes Expo.

Dr. Oz joins American Diabetes Association
organizers, HealthCorps staff, Zumba^®
instructors, and Broadway legend Stepp
Stewart on stage.

Dr. Oz signs an autograph for a fan at the
Diabetes Expo.

Dr. Oz poses with National Day of Service participants.

About HealthCorps^®
HealthCorps^® www.healthcorps.org is a proactive health movement responding to the crisis of obesity in America through school-based peer-mentoring, as well as community events and outreach to underserved populations. It was founded in 2003 by Dr. Mehmet Oz (cardiac surgeon and best-selling author.) For the future, HealthCorps plans to bring its 45-school program to additional states, launch a consumer education program and evolve into the most trusted brand for proactive health and wellness in America by prioritizing prevention and personal responsibility.

About ServiceNation
ServiceNation www.servicenation.org, a dynamic new coalition of 110 organizations dedicated to strengthening democracy and solving problems through civic engagement and service, is mobilizing a grassroots movement that will inspire America's leaders to expand voluntary community and national service opportunities, target America's greatest societal challenges with proven service strategies, and promote voluntary service as a core ideal in our democracy. Calling for a national Day of Action on September 27, ServiceNation engaged tens of thousands of Americans in events across the country showcased the impact of service.

About The American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, their mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information, please visit www.diabetes.org.