Cooper Quarterly S U M M E R
N E W S L E T T E R
2 0 1 9
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Remembering Ross Perot A Winning Season: Celebrating a decade of youth fitness with the NFL Foundation Legislative Victory for Public Health: The Power of Volunteer Advocacy Impacting Communities Where We Live, Work and Play 2019 Legacy Award Dinner honoring the NFL Foundation
REMEMBERING
Ross Perot 1930 - 2019
Ross Perot REMEMBERING
I will miss Ross, not only in day to day life in Dallas, visiting with him at social events, and having the delightful privilege of seeing him for his annual examination, but also snow skiing with him on the slopes of Beaver Creek Mountain in Colorado. I am glad that I could call Ross my friend. - Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH
On July 9, 2019, we lost a long-time friend, Mr. H. Ross Perot. Since the early years when our work was considered controversial, Ross and his family helped support the Cooper organizations and their support never wavered. They understood that the work we were doing was destined to gain credibility and have a positive impact on the world. Without his support, the notion that exercise is medicine might never have moved forward. Ross first came to the Cooper Clinic in 1993 for a preventive medicine examination, which became part of his regular regime for good health for over 25 years. His choice to live a “Cooperized” lifestyle helped him live 12 years longer than the national average. He was an example of “squaring off the curve” - living a long, active and healthy life right up to the end. Ross Jr. described his father in a recent interview as being a great humanitarian, but he was so much more to us. He always felt that “money was only good if it could be used to support something good.” Ross and his family generously supported the activities here at the Cooper Aerobics Center, especially the research of The Cooper Institute. In 2010, Ross funded and helped develop the Perot International Youth Data Center (PIYDC) to host and store youth fitness, activity, and nutrition data from schools, community organizations, and regions around the globe - including schools in the NFL PLAY 60 FitnessGram project. As the largest international repository of youth fitness data, the PIYDC allowed The Cooper Institute to expand and grow its youth programming in Texas, the United States, and beyond as a leading authority on youth fitness assessments to improve health-related fitness in children. It has made a direct impact on children by allowing teachers, school districts and policy makers to make evidence-based decisions about physical education programming.
Laura F. DeFina, William H. McRaven, Ross Perot Sr., David Little, Millie Cooper and Kenneth H. Cooper
As a military physician during Desert Storm caring for a severely injured service man, I received a phone call from one of Mr. Perot’s staff who wanted to make sure that this young sailor had every resource he needed to get better. From the heart of a young military physician, I was so grateful that someone of Mr. Perot’s generosity and caliber was out there ensuring that our men and women in uniform had a “safety net.” Years later when working at The Cooper Institute, I had the great opportunity to thank Mr. Perot for his efforts on behalf of service men and women. This was truly one of the greatest honors of my life. It not only takes a great fighting force to win conflicts, but also a strong home team that believes in both the mission and the lives that are at risk on the ground. I applaud Mr. Perot’s efforts to care for those of us who served.
Nearly 30% of American children are classified as overweight or obese. These children are more likely than ever to grow into overweight, unfit adults with poor health. This can lead to increased rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, which leads to greater healthcare costs. Nearly 75% of young adults are not fit for military service in part due to obesity and poor fitness. The health of American children is critical to remaining competitive in the global market and preserving national security. Our dear friend, Ross, understood what this meant for our country and supported The Cooper Institute mission to improve health and wellness through research and education. We are honored to have the opportunity to carry this legacy forward. The health and wellness of our future adults, workforce, and uniform personnel relies on understanding how health and wellness in childhood impacts adulthood. Ross’ gift left a legacy for our researchers to better understand the lifestyle behaviors that will lead to healthier generations well into the future. The Cooper Institute sends our thoughts and prayers to the entire Perot family. Respectfully,
- Dr. Laura F. DeFina
Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH Laura F. DeFina, MD, FACP Founder and Chairman Emeritus The Cooper Institute
President and CEO The Cooper Institute
A WINNING SEASON CELEBRATING A DECADE OF YOUTH FITNESS WITH THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE FOUNDATION
As the NFL celebrates 100 years of football glory, we celebrate the NFL PLAY 60 FitnessGram Project, a decade-long partnership between The Cooper Institute and the NFL Foundation. Together, we are working to improve the trajectory of children’s health and wellness by encouraging 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Part of the NFL Foundation’s mission is to make the next generation of youth the most active and healthy through programs like NFL PLAY 60 and Fuel Up to Play 60. Using FitnessGram by The Cooper Institute to measure the fitness levels of students across the country, we scientifically validated the effectiveness of the NFL’s school-based fitness and nutrition programs.
Healthy habits start early and have a lasting impact. Our groundbreaking research with the NFL PLAY 60 FitnessGram Project proves that children who participate in school-based fitness programs have improved aerobic fitness, lower body mass index (BMI), and higher academic scores and better attendance. NFL PLAY 60 is the only school-based youth fitness program proven by research from The Cooper Institute. While NFL PLAY 60 has the wide reach, visibility and excitement that comes with any NFL-affiliated program, greater school participation is needed to have the most impact on American children.
Our FitnessGram research proves that improved physical activity and fitness plays an important role in overall student health and academic achievement, including improved reading and math scores. This can have a lasting impact on our youth that may carry over into adulthood as they enter the workforce or the military. Currently, 75% of young adults are not fit for military service in large part because of obesity and poor fitness. This problem also translates into the workforce where poor health is driving up the cost of healthcare and driving down productivity.
Fitness is the key to building stronger schools, stronger communities and a stronger workforce. Help us make a greater impact in our communities by bringing NFL PLAY 60 and FitnessGram to more schools. Together, we can improve youth fitness and build a healthier generation for the future. Learn more and get involved by visiting the NEW FitnessGram website at fitnessgram.net.
Our scientific papers have been cited in congressional testimony and utilized during key Capitol Hill visits by our partners and advocates, proving that we all share the same vision for a healthier America. As new opportunities are explored in states such as Arkansas, Arizona, Missouri and Montana, our volunteers and partners are driving the shared mission to improve public health by emphasizing the importance of physical activity, fitness and tobacco prevention.
THE POWER OF VOLUNTEER ADVOCACY Nearly half a century of research from The Cooper Institute has allowed key decision makers to advance policies that improve public health across the country and around the world, thanks to powerful research and passionate volunteers. Our mission to build a healthier generation continues to gain momentum thanks to an army of voices sharing the data and the impact made in their community, their state, or even in their personal lives. We are stronger together. Over 30 passionate volunteers joined us this year to March Forth to the Capitol in Austin - teachers, school administrators, parents, business leaders, healthcare administrators, and legislators - to advance policy priorities at every level.
In our home state of Texas, an army of volunteers thwarted efforts to repeal school physical fitness requirements while strengthening early childcare standards relating to physical activity, nutrition and limited screen time. Texas also passed a historic piece of legislation, becoming the sixteenth state to raise the purchase age from 18 to 21 years for all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. “We are very happy about the passage of Tobacco 21 in Texas, but we still need smoke-free workplaces for patrons and employees of restaurants, sports bars and other establishments,” said Steve Love, president and CEO of the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council. “We need all community stakeholders to protect everyone from the dangers of second-hand smoke and change this epidemic use of vapor products by our young people.” The National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity and the Personal Investment Today (PHIT) Coalition are just two of the many organizations who share this vision for healthier communities. Together, armed with evidence-based science from The Cooper Institute, we are driving change through public health policies across the United States.
“Volunteers are an integral part of healthcare and the real heroes in community initiatives,” said Love. We are thankful to the many volunteers and partners who are driving change that improves public health, pushing life-saving public policies, and helping build a healthier generation now and Well. Into the Future.
Join us! Visit www.cooperinstitute.org/ advocacy/ to get involved and be an advocate for public health!
Meet Joel Romo:
Joel Romo joins us as the Vice President of Governmental Affairs for The Cooper Institute, bringing with him over 25 years of experience representing the legislative interests of clients at the local, state and federal levels. His vast portfolio of public health and education expertise, along with state budgetary experience, is advancing our mission to improve public health at every level. Romo is a graduate of St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas and was recently named a distinguished alumni of Brenham High School.
Cooper Give For Good annual campaign has raised over $200,000 in five years to support the missions of three nonprofits - The Cooper Institute, American Heart Association and Communities Foundation of Texas.
IMPACTING COMMUNITIES WHERE WE LIVE, WORK AND PLAY “YOU MUST BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.” Mahatma Gandhi
At Cooper, we want the world to be a better place and many of us strive to make it such by volunteering our time or by making a financial contribution to causes that matter to us. The Cooper Give For Good campaign allows us to make a difference where we live, work and play. In our hometown of Dallas, TX, we support organizations in our own backyard whose missions and values are closely aligned with our own.
“We are a mission-based organization with the goal of improving the quality and quantity of people’s lives. Our health is our responsibility but together we can make an even bigger impact,” said Dr. Tyler Cooper.
“As public health continues to be a crisis in the United States, the importance of giving back to The Cooper Institute is more critical than ever. Our teammate giving campaign allows us the opportunity to provide fitness education and support research that directly impacts people to live longer and better,” said Dr. Tyler Cooper, President and CEO of Cooper Aerobics. American Heart Association is another natural choice because of their long history of driving change with The Cooper Institute. After The Cooper Institute published its landmark study in 1989 proving that fitness leads to longevity, the AHA adopted physical inactivity as the fourth independent risk factor for heart disease. To combat this, the AHA started their annual Heart Walk event and Dr. Cooper served as their first event chairman. Together, the AHA and The Cooper Institute have made a powerful impact on heart health that continues today. Communities Foundation of Texas is a unique choice that supports many local nonprofits through a robust offering of donor services and grant initiatives. This option allows teammates to support a broad range of organizations that they feel passionate about such as animals or the arts.
Leaderboards around campus help spur on the drive to see which team can make the biggest impact. The competitive spirit comes alive during Cooper Give For Good, and it’s a win-win for our teammates and our community.
Campaign Chairs: • 2015-2016: Brad Young - Membership Sales Manager, Cooper Fitness Center
• 2017-2018: Nathan Frischmann -
Exercise Physiology Manager, Cooper Clinic
• 2019-2020: Rhett Sagui - CV Admin/Tech, Cooper Clinic
Executive Chairs: • 2015: Dr. Cam Nelson • 2016: Dr. Chris Abel • 2017: Dr. Nina Radford • 2018: Dr. Michele Kettles • 2019: Dr. Riva Rahl
We are proud to celebrate five years of Cooper Give For Good, which has raised over $200,000 to make an impact in our community.
All seven Cooper business entities take part in this annual giving campaign. Each year in June, over 500 teammates all across campus make a commitment to support one of three organizations who are near and dear to us: The Cooper Institute, American Heart Association, or Communities Foundation of Texas.
Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper founded The Cooper Institute in 1970 when he set out to prove that exercise is the best preventive medicine. Nearly 50 years later, scientific research from the nonprofit research institute continues to prove he was right all along.
“We work for an organization that truly cares for its employees,” said Marie Thomas, Corporate Relations Coordinator for Cooper Clinic. “When the people around you are witness to the joy and satisfaction helping others can bring, that joy is contagious. I’m proud to work for an organization that cares about people and the community around us.” We making giving fun. Fun, campus-wide engagement activities, prizes, and encouragement from team captains help boost everyone’s spirit. Teammates love racing against each other in the relay events or enjoying a cool popsicle on a hot day out on the lawn together.
Rhett Sagui, Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper, and Dr. Rival Rahl celebrate during the 2019 Give for Good program.
SAVE THE DATE for
The Cooper Institute Annual
Legacy Award Dinner Honoring The
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE FOUNDATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019 The Belo Mansion in Dallas PRESENTING SPONSORS
Kenneth and Millie Cooper | David and Ruth Glass | Drayton and Elizabeth McLane
Charlotte Jones Anderson
NFL Foundation Chairman Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Charles Duke
WELL. HERO. AWARD RECIPIENT
Apollo 16 astronaut
The Honorable Betsy Price
EXECUTIVE CHAIR
EXECUTIVE CHAIR
Chairman, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and Blank Family of Businesses
15 Partners
Arthur M. Blank
Mayor of Fort Worth
Roger Staubach
The Cooper Institute is dedicated to promoting life-long health and wellness through research and education.
For more information, contact Amy Johnson at 214.543.6533 or ajohnson@cooperinst.org
The Cooper Institute is dedicated to promoting life-long health and wellness through research and education.
The Cooper Institute was founded in 1970 by Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper as a nonprofit organization with a simple vision to prove that exercise is medicine. Support The Cooper Institute’s mission by making a gift at: CooperInstitute.org/Donate 12330 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75230 972-341-3200 | CooperInstitute.org
The Cooper Institute Board of Trustees: Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH Chairman Emeritus Tedd Mitchell, MD Chairman of the Board Charles Anderson Vice Chairman of the Board Stephen D. Good Secretary of the Board
Troy Aikman Arthur M. Blank Brian O. Casey Thomas W. Codd Tyler C. Cooper, MD, MPH Susan Dell Elmer L. Doty Tony Evans, ThD David D. Glass Ray L. Hunt
James W. Keyes Drayton McLane, Jr. Hon. Jeanne L. Phillips Nina B. Radford, MD Steven S. Reinemund Eduardo Sanchez, MD Roger Staubach
Executive Leadership Laura F. DeFina, MD, FACP Chief Executive Officer Amy Johnson Chief Development Officer
Onyeka Nchege Chief Information Officer Kayla Heath Chief Financial Officer
Follow The Cooper Institute:
Meet Kayla Heath:
Kayla joins us as our Chief Financial Officer, a Certified Public Accountant with 10 years of experience in audit, accounting and finance. “I am passionate about actively participating in my community and volunteer with several organizations around Dallas, but I am most excited to help advance the mission of The Cooper Institute to improve public health through fitness and research.”
