Founder of Harris Obesity Prevention Effort at NYU Langone Medical Center Receives Distinguished Community Service Award

October 19, 2009

J. Ira Harris, founder of the Harris Obesity Prevention Effort (HOPE) at the Child Study Center at NYU Langone Medical Center, has received the United Hospital Fund's Distinguished Community Service Award for his commitment to preventing and treating childhood obesity in New York. Jackie Harris Hochberg, chairman of the board of HOPE and president of the J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Foundation, received the award on behalf of her father. 

"Through HOPE, Ira and his family are helping to make significant inroads into combating childhood obesity through the development, evaluation and dissemination of programs dedicated to treating this condition," said Robert I. Grossman, MD, dean and CEO of NYU Langone Medical Center. "We are grateful for the support they've provided to scientists and clinicians within the Medical Center who are working to address this public health crisis and we are proud to join with the United Hospital Fund to recognize his work."

Under the leadership of Laurie Miller Brotman, PhD, HOPE brings together a world-class multidisciplinary team of scientists, clinicians and educators to combat this complex and costly public health epidemic. HOPE is dedicated to the development, evaluation and dissemination of evidence-based programs for families and educators to help young children establish healthy behaviors around eating, physical activity and sleep to prevent childhood obesity. HOPE is also committed to providing medical treatment for morbidly obese adolescents.

"The name of the program says it all," said Dr. Brotman.  "Hope is exactly what Ira Harris and his family provide to children who are working to avoid or are already facing the devastating consequences of childhood obesity. We are grateful for the Harris family's ongoing support and for believing in our institution's ability to lead the fight to preventing and treating childhood obesity."

HOPE's prevention efforts are centered on an evidence-based family and school program developed by HOPE faculty at the NYU Child Study Center's Institute for Prevention Science.  HOPE's program incorporates proven strategies to promote healthy eating and sleep habits, increase physical activity, and decrease sedentary activity.  HOPE is also dedicated to helping adolescents who are on average 100 pounds overweight and at risk for life-threatening health conditions.  Support for HOPE helps to provide free or reduced cost surgical treatment, which is the only proven and safe treatment for morbidly obese adolescents.

"We are pleased to recognize Ira Harris with the Distinguished Community Service Award," said James R. Tallon Jr., president of the United Hospital Fund.  "Recognizing that childhood obesity is one of New York's most critical long-term public health concerns, Mr. Harris has said that no child should suffer the great burden of being overweight. Through founding HOPE, he has taken important steps towards that end. We at the Fund salute Mr. Harris for his role in this important project, through which, as a direct result, its young beneficiaries will lead healthier and happier lives."

For additional information about HOPE (Harris Obesity Prevention Effort), please visit http://hopenyu.org/about-us.

Media Inquiries:
Lisa Greiner
212-404-3532 | 646-592-3044 cell | lisa.greiner@nyumc.org