President Barack Obama Recognizes Local Health Program

President Barack Obama has recognized Loma Linda University Health’s PossAbilities program as a Presidential Champion for its work in getting people with physical disabilities to be active and fit. The White House sent the recognition to PossAbilities with a Gold Award and a certificate that states, “In recognition of your outstanding commitment to adopt and maintain a physically active and fit lifestyle. By earning this award you have proven yourself to be a Presidential Champion. I hereby congratulate you on this accomplishment.” PossAbilities is a community outreach program developed by Loma Linda University Center East Campus and supported by founding partner, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. PossAbilities’ goal is to offer physically challenged people who were born with or have suffered permanent physical injury a sense of community by offering activities and practical help. The program offers a variety of activities and initiatives that offer support, education, and athletic endeavors to its members, including hosting the yearly PossAbilities Triathlon, an event joined in by thousands of able-bodied and challenged athletes; and Road to Rio, a training program for athletes hoping to compete at the 2016 Paralympics. The Presidential Champion award is part of The President’s Challenge, a program of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program recognizes efforts to help people of all ages and abilities to increase their physical activity and improve their fitness through research-based information, easy-to-use tools, and friendly motivations. “We are deeply humbled to have received this recognition from the President of the United States. It is our hope that the PossAbilities program will continue to provide those with physical disabilities the opportunities to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle,” said Pedro R. Payne, Ph.D., director of PossAbilities. “Whether it’s through our weekly exercise classes, our monthly bike rides, or our annual triathlon, we can think of no better way to help spread our health message other than to ‘Live It’,” he said.