Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen has recognized 10 programs and organizations from across the state as 2009 Shining Star Award recipients for their efforts in the promotion of healthy lifestyles.

Vanderbilt was the only organization in Nashville to be included on the list, which is named by the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health.

“I applaud the efforts of these organizations in improving the health and fitness of Tennessee citizens,” Bredesen said. “The work of these groups and the individuals they inspire help Tennessee become a healthier state, and puts us on track to live longer lives.”

Shining Star awards are given for efforts to promote healthy habits in the following categories: Where We Live (communities), Where We Work (employers) and Where We Learn (educational settings). The 2009 Shining Star Award recipients are:

• City of Johnson City
• Eastman Chemical Co., Kingsport
• Hamblen County Health Council, Morristown
• Lewis County Health Council, Hohenwald
• Orange Grove Center, Chattanooga
• Outdoor Chattanooga Mobile Bicycle Fleet
• United Way of Greater Chattanooga
• The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga
• Vanderbilt University, Nashville
• WDEF News 12, Chattanooga

“These Shining Star Award winners prove that just a bit of motivation is all it takes to help people become more active and improve their health and fitness,” said Susan R. Cooper, Tennessee commissioner of health. “Community efforts like these, in partnership with state initiatives including Project Diabetes and Get Fit Tennessee, are encouraging more Tennesseans to make the changes to lead more healthful lives.”

The Tennessee Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health was created to address the health and fitness needs of all Tennesseans through the promotion of healthy lifestyles. The council recognizes that to be successful in affecting a change in the lifestyle habits of Tennesseans, a cooperative effort will be required of government agencies, businesses, communities and individuals that share the goal of enhancing the quality of life in Tennessee through the promotion of healthy lifestyles. For more information, visit http://health.state.tn.us/governorscouncil/index.shtml.

Bredesen has been instrumental in the creation and development of several initiatives aimed at improving Tennesseans’ health status. Project Diabetes is his innovative public health initiative launched in 2006 to address the epidemic of type 2 diabetes in Tennessee. To learn more about Project Diabetes, call (615) 253-8729 or e-mail project.diabetes@tn.gov.

Bredesen also created Get Fit Tennessee, a statewide awareness program to educate Tennesseans about type 2 diabetes and risk factors that lead to the disease, such as obesity. Visit the Get Fit Web site at www.getfittn.com for more information and free tools that can help improve your health and fitness.

Contact: Shelley L. Walker, (615) 741-3111