Dr. Andy Baldwin Assists Acting U.S. Surgeon General to Promote “Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future” in Los Angeles

January 7, 2009 (Los Angeles, CA) U.S. NAVY Doctor, Humanitarian, Triathlete and TV Personality Dr. Andy Baldwin is in Los Angeles today assisting Acting U.S. Surgeon General to promote “Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future."  Below is the press release from Office of the U.S. Surgeon General.

Acting U.S. Surgeon General to Promote “Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future” in Los Angeles
Source: Office of the U.S. Surgeon General

Acting Surgeon General Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H., will make another stop on his nationwide tour to promote the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Initiative on Jan. 7 in Los Angeles, Calif. The initiative targets prevention of overweight and obesity, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles, for young people.

The Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future project focuses on recognizing and showcasing those communities throughout the nation that are addressing childhood overweight and obesity prevention by helping kids stay active, encouraging healthy eating habits, and promoting healthy choices.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to visit communities across the country, like Los Angeles, and meet first-hand with those actively engaged in finding ways to prevent childhood overweight and obesity," said Galson, a rear admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service.

Rear Adm. Galson will present the Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future Champion Award to the Network for a Healthy California during an event with students at the Hobart Boulevard Elementary School. LT Andy Baldwin, a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and also known for being the bachelor of the tenth season of the reality show “The Bachelor,”will be on hand to lead the students in exercise routines demonstrating how physical activity can be fun and rewarding.

The Network for a Healthy California is a state-wide movement that encourages Californians to increase their physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption. 11 Regional Networks that include over 160 funded local projects are reaching an estimated 2,900 school sites each year, with a focus on low-income African American and Latino populations. Thousands of students are learning healthy habits by using the Networks’ curricula including the Children’s Power Play! campaign.

Childhood overweight is a serious health concern for children and adolescents in the United States. Since 1980, obesity has more than doubled among children ages two to five and more than tripled among youth ages six to 11 and adolescents ages 12-19. Additional information on the Surgeon General's Initiative can be found at http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/obesityprevention.html.

About Dr. Andy Baldwin
U.S. Navy Lieutenant Andy Baldwin, M.D. is an Undersea Medical Officer, Ironman triathlete, Navy Diver, and humanitarian currently stationed in Washington, D.C. at the Navy's Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. In January 2009, Dr. Baldwin began working with the U.S. Surgeon General and his “Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future” initiative to combat childhood obesity. Andy’s public persona as a TV celebrity on network television and the star of ABC’s hit show “The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman” has transcended into a commitment to humanitarianism through his practice of medicine. His public presentations focus on the value of service to humanity.

Andy’s values and integrity are evident through his charitable pursuits, his compassionate clinical contributions around the world, as well as in his desire to improve the quality of life for others in need. He has earned the Humanitarian of the Year award from Triathlete and Competitor magazines for his participation on a military mission in Laos, where he treated more than 600 Laotians in remote mountain villages.

As the founder of "Got Your Back Network" (www.GotYourBackNetwork.org), Andy has been able to launch a non-profit program to raise money to support the brave families of the service men and women who gave their lives while serving their country. 100% of the funds generated from Andy's “Got Your Back" initiative, a 501(c)(3) accredited organization, will fund an endowment to provide financial support for applicant families: education, emergencies and medical miracles.

Andy’s domestic and global giving is reflected in his ability to motivate and energize others with good medicine and goodwill. In remembrance of his uncle, Andy established a fund to help raise funding for pancreatic research and he continues to support the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Andy has been a member of Project Active, which is a non-profit initiative dedicated to diffusing world tensions through promotion of sports, health and fitness in war-torn and impoverished countries.

This drive to achieve was developed early in Andy’s life. He worked three jobs in his hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, earned a Valedictorian honor in his high school class, was an All-American swimmer, and was the ESPN national scholar/athlete of the year in 1995. He received a full Navy ROTC scholarship to Duke University, where he pursued a pre-med curriculum. Andy swam as a varsity athlete throughout his undergraduate career. He graduated with honors as a student-athlete in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Commissioned Officer in the United States Navy. Andy pursued his dream of becoming a physician, at the University of California-San Francisco School of Medicine. After graduating in 2003, Andy completed a year internship in general surgery at Naval Medical Center San Diego. He served his operational duty in the Navy as an Undersea Medical Officer. He completed Navy Dive School and Undersea Medical Training and spent a three year tour in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii with Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit ONE.

Today, Andy resides in Washington, D.C., a prime location for launching his global charitable giving and fundraising, humanitarian advocacy and health and fitness educational activities.

For more information on Dr. Andy Baldwin, visit his website at www.AndyBaldwin.com or Dr. Andy Baldwin's client page at Crossover Entertainment Group LLC or Dr. Andy Baldwin's foundation, Got Your Back Network.

About Lawson Artist Management, LLC/Crossover Entertainment Group, LLC
Lawson Artist Management is a unique, diversified talent management firm founded and led by Mike Lawson, an investment banking executive with a strategic development, marketing, financial and management consulting business background who is also a classical pianist. Lawson Artist Management personally manages both established and emerging recording artists, actors/actresses, screenwriters, directors and executive producers.  Lawson Artist Management is now an affiliate of Crossover Entertainment Group, LLC. For more information, visit Crossover’s website at www.CrossoverEntertainment.com.