PRINCETON, NJ. April 22, 2023 (Biz Republic) — The New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute announced the Mayors Wellness Campaign “Healthy Town” winners for 2022. These cities and towns improve health and wellness in their communities through innovative programs in areas such as exercise, healthy eating, and mental health education and awareness. The Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC) is a program of the Quality Institute in partnership with the New Jersey State League of Municipalities. In addition to fourteen Healthy Town winners, another seventeen towns were designated as 2022 “Healthy Town to Watch,” and seven were designated as 2022 “Healthy Town Up-and-Coming.”
Each year, communities participating in the MWC complete a comprehensive Healthy Town application outlining the research they’ve done to identify their community health needs and explaining how they have organized their local MWC committee. The application also highlights the actions the towns have taken to make their communities healthier places to live, work, and play. Here’s a listing of the winners and the efforts that helped them receive this recognition.
2022 HEALTHY TOWNS
Borough of Bay Head, 2022 Healthy Town
The Borough of Bay Head (Ocean County) has achieved a Healthy Town designation for the second year in a row. The Borough’s focus on community events and activities provides residents with multiple options for engaging in health and wellness activities. The addition of a “Gratitude Tree,” where residents can publicly display what they are grateful for, has created a dialogue about mental health and encouraged community members to support each other.
“Bay Head is so excited and honored to once again be declared a Healthy Town,” said Mayor Bill Curtis. “Our programs have been well planned and well attended. Our volunteers do a magnificent job year in and year out and I salute Meryl Clement and Sarah Erbe, our Co-Chairs, and their group for all they do. We have wellness programs for every age group and utilize our town and our location on the beach to our advantage. It is our privilege and pleasure to be associated with the Quality Institute and the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign. We applaud all they do, and our residents benefit greatly from the tremendous programming ideas, support, webinars, and tools they provide us.”
Borough of Wildwood Crest, 2022 Healthy Town
The Borough of Wildwood Crest (Cape May County) has been designated a Healthy Town for the third year in a row. The members of the MWC have a longstanding commitment to creating a culture of wellness in the community through active lifestyles. In an effort to address the changing needs of residents, the Borough has launched mental health focused activities such as meditation and yoga and social connectedness opportunities.
“The Borough of Wildwood Crest is honored to receive the Healthy Town designation for a third consecutive year,” said Mayor Donald Cabrera. “I am happy our community is known for its wellness initiatives, including being clean and safe. I thank the Quality Institute for recognizing Wildwood Crest once again. I also thank our recreation wellness team for their hard work, dedication, and creative ideas. “I would love to network and learn more about other communities’ wellness programs — and if anyone is looking to learn more about our program, please reach out. I congratulate all communities and participants in the MWC. We are all doing great things! We are off and running for 2023,” Mayor Cabrera said.
City of Asbury Park, 2022 Healthy Town
The City of Asbury Park (Monmouth County), a longtime member of the MWC, earned another Healthy Town Designation for 2022. The city capitalizes on community partnerships offering free health screenings and famers’ markets in collaboration with Hackensack Meridian Health and Interfaith Neighbors, among other partners.
“The City of Asbury Park is pleased to be recognized as a 2022 New Jersey Healthy Town by the Quality Institute and its statewide MWC,” said Mayor John Moor. “Receiving goldlevel designation is a testament to the hard work being done by our MWC and city staff. Their efforts, along with the continued support of local community organizations, health care partners, and residents help promote a culture of health and active lifestyle for all of Asbury Park.”
City of Paterson, 2022 Healthy Town
The City of Paterson (Passaic County) has once again received a Healthy Town designation. The City’s commitment to improving health and wellness for residents includes large infrastructure investments, health awareness campaigns, integration of wrap-around services for residents, and partnership with St. Joseph’s Medical Center.
“Keeping Patersonians healthy is a priority and a point of pride,” said Mayor Andre Sayegh. “Our unprecedented investment in our parks, playgrounds, and pools is a testament to our commitment to the health and well-being of our residents. We are honored to once again earn the gold-level designation of being a Healthy Town in New Jersey.”
City of Plainfield, 2022 Healthy Town
The City of Plainfield (Union County) has received a Healthy Town designation for the fifth year in a row. The city’s longstanding dedication to health and wellness programs has made its MWC program a standout across the state. Some of the city’s successful programs in 2022 include continued vaccination efforts, emergency food programs, health fairs and health education, and increased opportunities for residents to stay active.
“We’ve been working hard to improve health outcomes in our city,” said Mayor Adrian O. Mapp. “I’d like to thank the Quality Institute for recognizing our efforts by giving us this gold-level designation. At the end of the day, it’s about improving the quality of life for every resident. Access to healthy foods, forming healthy physical habits, and educating our community about the importance of good health are all facets that combine to form a lifestyle supporting good health. We will continue this path to good health and ensure that Plainfield’s health habits can be emulated.”
Evesham Township, 2022 Healthy Town
For the third year in a row, Evesham Township (Burlington County) is a Healthy Town. The township continues to provide impressive programming covering a wide range of health topics such as physical activity, mental health, food insecurity, inclusivity, and social connectedness. Programs are offered for all ages, although there is a focus on older adults and school age children, groups that need the most support.
“Evesham Township is so proud to have once again received the distinguished Healthy Town award through the Mayors Wellness Campaign,” Mayor Jaclyn Veasy said. “The MWC has been an invaluable partner in Evesham’s efforts to continually reevaluate and expand the ways our municipality delivers programs to support our residents’ physical, mental and spiritual health. I look forward to our township being a part of this great initiative for years to come.”
Freehold Borough, 2022 Healthy Town
Freehold Borough (Monmouth County) has been designated as a 2022 Healthy Town. MWC programming includes a comprehensive Freehold Food Safety Net program, health education on topics ranging from safe housing issues to healthy eating, and efforts to create an inclusive environment for residents with disabilities.
“Freehold Borough is proud to be recognized by the Quality Institute as a 2022 Healthy Town, a gold star designation,” said Mayor Kevin Kane. “The Mayors Wellness Committee’s mission is to improve the health and wellness of all our residents. We recognize that health is more than a visit to the doctor — it’s a community effort to address the social determinants of health. Working with our community partners, we strive to breakdown the social determinants of heath barriers by providing education, programs, and events for all our residents to empower them to improve health outcomes in Freehold Borough.”
Hillsborough Township, 2022 Healthy Town
Hillsborough Township (Somerset County) has received its first Healthy Town designation in 2022. The Township has worked to grow the program over the last few years and the result is a comprehensive health and wellness program that includes employee wellness activities, “Walk With the Mayor” events, education about mental health and stigma, and programs aimed at underserved populations.
“Hillsborough Township is honored and excited to be recognized by the Quality Institute as a 2022 Healthy Town, the Gold Level Designation,” said Mayor Shawn Lipani. “Our Mayors Wellness Committee mission is to improve the health and wellness of the community and it is through innovative programs and outreach that we continue to engage our residents.”
Jefferson Township, 2022 Healthy Town
Jefferson Township (Morris County) has been designated as a 2022 Healthy Town. The Township works with health experts and community partners to provide varied and comprehensive programming for residents. Health education topics covered selfcare, coping with anxiety, Narcan trainings, and heart health.
“In my first term as Mayor of Jefferson Township, one of my many goals and priorities was to do my best to help improve the health and wellness of our community through the Quality Institute’s Mayors Wellness Campaign program,” said Mayor Eric Wilsusen. “We are so very proud to achieve the Healthy Town designation for our program. We are excited that after four years of determination, and even through a pandemic, and working with all our partners, we achieved the top designation. I must thank my program coordinator and wife, Kristine Wilsusen, for all her hard work. We will continue to improve our programming to help improve the overall health and wellness of our community. I also need to thank the Quality Institute team members for all their support.”
Princeton Township, 2022 Healthy Town
Princeton Township (Mercer County) has been awarded a Healthy Town Designation in 2022. In the past year the Township has added a focus on mental health and wellness. One of their most successful programs has been a book club at the local library to encourage education and discussion about mental health topics.
“The Municipality of Princeton is honored to be chosen by the Quality Institute as a Healthy Town for 2022. Throughout last year, our Mayors Wellness Committee team engaged over 500 residents in mental wellness activities that were rooted in increasing awareness, education, and incidence reduction. Princeton chose to address mental health because of the City Health Dashboard, which provides town-level data on a variety of health metrics, including those related to social determinants of health,” said Mayor Mark Freda.
A community health assessment survey was co-administered to gain resident feedback on pressing health challenges. Mental health was identified as a top health concern of Princeton both through the dashboard and community health assessment. In response to these findings, Princeton’s MWC team brainstormed a variety of evidence based mental health wellness activities which included: gardening, watercolor painting, and book club discussions around mental health that were delivered throughout the community. “The success of our MWC in 2022 was driven by continued community partnerships with the Princeton Public Library, Arts Council of Princeton, Princeton Corner House, Garden Club of Princeton, Princeton Senior Resource Center, Trinity Counseling, and Princeton Care Center,” said Mayor Freda.
Scotch Plains Township, 2022 Healthy Town
Scotch Plains Township (Union County) received a Healthy Town designation for the fourth year in a row. One of the pillars of the program is its collaboration with community organizations and businesses. Programs offered in 2022 included yoga classes, farmers’ markets, breast cancer awareness events and “Kindness Tables” to spread positivity through artwork.
“I am very pleased that Scotch Plains is once again being recognized as a 2022 Healthy Town,” said Mayor Josh Losardo. “Our Mayors Wellness Committee mission, comprising many community volunteers, is squarely focused on improving the health and wellness of our residents. In Scotch Plains, we recognize that health is more than a visit to the doctor — it’s a way of life. Throughout 2023, we will continue to offer quality programs and events for all our residents, empowering them to improve their health in new and fun ways.”
Township of Hamilton, 2022 Healthy Town
The Township of Hamilton (Atlantic County) is a first time Healthy Town designee. The MWC offers programs such as health screenings, free exercise opportunities, community events, COVID-19 vaccinations and free Narcan kits to the community. Their programs are aimed at addressing Social Determinants of Health to support the health and wellness of residents.
“It’s an honor for Hamilton to be recognized as a 2022 New Jersey Healthy Town gold level winner by the Quality Institute. Our Mayors Wellness Committee aims to improve the overall health and wellness of Hamilton residents by engaging our community in wellness activities throughout the year. Our MWC Committee and community partners will continue to work hard in 2023 to provide opportunities for our residents to improve their personal health,” said Mayor Jeff Martin.
Vernon Township, 2022 Healthy Town
The Township of Vernon (Sussex County) received a 2022 Healthy Town designation. The Vernon MWC capitalizes on community partnerships that create increased access to a variety of health and wellness activities for residents. In 2022, programs included “Walks with the Mayor,” Art in the Park, and programs designed specifically to promote inclusivity for children of all abilities.
“It is always an honor to have your town positively recognized by the Quality Institute. This year has special significance,” said Mayor Howard Burrell. “After years of being recognized as a Healthy Town to Watch, this year the Quality Institute presented Vernon’s the gold level designation of Healthy Town! This award and the rigorous standards of performance that are necessary for its achievement are validation of the success of our on-going efforts to make Vernon Township an even better town in which to live and raise a family, as well as a town where businesses want to locate and prosper.
“I want to thank Mishelle Downtain, our town’s Director of Recreation and Community Affairs, for the key role she played in leading our Mayors Wellness Committee team in the planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating functions required in researching and gathering the information and data required for the application to be considered for this prestigious award.”
Woodbridge Township, 2022 Healthy Town
Woodbridge Township (Middlesex County) is one of the longest standing partners of the MWC and has again received a Healthy Town designation. In recent years, the Township has turned to data to drive programming, partnering with Healthier Middlesex to assess community needs.
“We are honored to once again be designated a New Jersey Healthy Town by the Quality Institute,” said Mayor John E. McCormac. “Our administration puts health and wellness at the top of our priorities for our constituency, especially with Council President Gregg Ficarra leading the charge as the Wellness Committee’s Chairman. We are committed to ensuring that all 100,000+ Woodbridge Township residents continue to have access to wellness programs and activities.”
