Healthy Hometown Judges
About the Judges
The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation sent the Healthy Hometown Applications to three prestigious national figures to help grade each town. Here is information about these judges – all experts in health & wellness on a personal as well as professional level.
Kenneth H. Cooper, M.D., M.P.H.Founder and Chairman
Cooper Aerobics Center
When Kenneth H. Cooper, M.D., M.P.H., published his first bestseller, Aerobics, in 1968, he introduced a new word and a new concept—launching a worldwide fitness revolution. Celebrating Cooper Aerobics Center’s 40th anniversary in 2010, Dr. Cooper continues to be recognized as the leader of the international physical fitness movement and credited with motivating more people to exercise in pursuit of good health than any other person. In 1968, only 100,000 people were jogging in America. That number is now more than 30 million strong, thanks to the work and influence of Dr. Cooper. At age 79 and having logged more than 38,000 miles running, Dr. Cooper sets an example for maintaining a healthy lifestyle by exercising at Cooper Aerobics Center on a regular basis, along with his wife Millie and their daughter, Berkley, and son, Tyler, and their families—all “coopering” for health.
www.CooperAerobics.com
Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist
Olympic Hall of Fame Inductee
USA Track & Field Hall of Fame Inductee
One of the first female American middle distance stars of world-class caliber, Madeline Manning Mims was the 1968 Olympic 800 meter champion at the Mexico City Games. She set many national and world records in track, and is a four-time U.S. Olympic Team member (‘68, ‘72, ‘76, and ‘80). She is founder and president of the United States Council for Sports Chaplaincy and has been a chaplain at the 1988 Seoul, 1992 Barcelona, 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens, and 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. She is a 2010 chaplain for the WNBA Tulsa Shock basketball team. As a speaker and leader among world athletes, Mims has shared her personal testimony at the White House and on the steps of the Capitol in response to the Presidential address to the Olympians and American people.
Director, Leadership for Healthy Communities
CEO, Global Policy Solutions
Working to improve the health of many communities, Dr. Rockeymoore is well-versed is the details of the intersection of health and public policy. As the Director of Leadership for Healthy Communities, she oversees grant-making and advocacy on efforts such as active living, healthy eating, school health, and the social environment for many populations. Dr. Rockeymoore is the author of “The Political Action Handbook: A How to Guide for the Hip Hop Generation” and co-editor of “Strengthening Community: Social Insurance in a Diverse America.”
www.leadershipforhealthycommunities.org