PMC's Biggest Winner Challenge returns

Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg, has announced the return of its third Biggest Winner Challenge beginning tonight.

The Biggest Winner Challenge is a six-month program from Oct. 13 to March 22, designed to help people take control of their lives, lose weight and become healthy.

As a Pocono Medical Center Healthy Living Series program, this challenge provides the opportunity for people in the community to embark on their own health journey.

"This program is more than just a challenge," says Dawn Wilson, the hospital's Wellness Team leader. "It is a program filled with education, compassion, unbelievable support and unconditional love from the team at Pocono Medical Center. Our employees are an integral part of the community and we are so proud to be able to bring this type of program beyond our walls and offer it to our community as well."

The program's inception was inspired by Pocono Medical Center's Dr. Musa Tangoren, M.D. and board certified anesthesiologist, who became aware that there was a strong interest in his knowledge of fitness and healthy living from staff at Pocono Medical Center.

This primed the idea to run the first Biggest Winner Challenge available just for Pocono Medical Center employees.

"The program was a success and I decided to ask Pocono Medical Center's Wellness Team to help with opening up the competition to the general public. And here we are, the third round later," said Tangoren.

As the Biggest Winner Challenge grew, Tangoren searched for opportunities to get more of the community involved, which led to the program now offering a teen challenge for children ages 12-19.

"I wanted teens to become involved because there is a growing concern about the increasing incidence of obesity and diabetes in this population - and the best way to a lifetime of health is by developing healthy habits early in life."

Tangoren is passionate about healthy lifestyles and had begun competitive bodybuilding at the age of 40, helping many people achieve their health and wellness goals from athletes to models and even celebrities.

With the implementation of educational tips and motivational talks from Tangoren as director, accompanied by expert Pocono Medical Center physicians and dietitians, there has been a positive impact on the community contributing over 5,000 pounds lost among 400 participants from the first two challenges.

"Participating in Pocono Medical Center's Biggest Winner Program enabled me to identify the obstacles that were interfering with my weight loss and exercise commitment," said Phyllis Rafferty, secretary of the Office of Accessible Services Individualized for Students at East Stroudsburg University and a competitor in a previous Biggest Winner Challenge.

To become a participant, there is a one-time flat fee of $20 for registration. The challenge meets on every second and fourth Tuesday of the month through March 22. Meetings and weigh-ins will take place at East Stroudsburg University's Abeloff Auditorium from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

As a free wellness program, Pocono Medical Center's Healthy Living aims to motivate and inspire people to make positive changes in order to lead their happiest, healthiest life. As a member, people throughout the Poconos are provided with life-changing health information and access to medical services available through leading experts, fun and informational activities.

For more information about the Healthy Living Program and the Biggest Winner Challenge and where to register, visit poconohealthsystem.org/healthyliving.