July 2017, Summit, NJ – Sylvia Federico, of Berkley Heights, and Andy Haspel of New Providence, never attended their senior proms in high school. Neither did Ethel Marie Venable or Yvette W. Glover, residents of South Mountain Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Union.
So when they heard of the “Senior” Prom for older adults being held at Atlantic Health System’s Overlook Medical Center on July 13, it seemed like a great opportunity – Venable, Glover and some of their fellow residents at South Mountain came decked out in dresses, tiaras and tuxedos – and Haspel and Federico took home the Prom King and Queen crowns.
“It is very nice,” Venable said. “And I just love that music.”
The event was part of Atlantic Health System’s New Vitality program, an award-winning health and wellness program tailored to meet the needs of adults age 65 and older. Local senior citizens as well as senior centers throughout the region were invited to attend the event, which was held in the Bouras Auditorium at Overlook, and featured hors d’oeuvres as well as live music by Chris Corbin, who sang a selection of Frank Sinatra and other Golden Age classics. The event also featured a lesson in ballroom dancing by instructor Sergei Bezrodnov and his assistants from Ballroom Dance of NJ. Roses were handed out to the female attendees, and the evening was capped by crowning of Prom King and Queen, chosen by random drawing.
“New Vitality seeks to promote healthy lifestyles in creative ways for the older population in our communities,” said Alexandra Green, community health coordinator at Overlook. “We thought a prom was a great opportunity to get active, meet others and have a great time.”
Federico, who came with her husband of 61 years, Joe, said the program appealed to her and the group of friends who accompanied them from Berkeley Heights.
“I’m looking forward to another one,” Federico said.
About Atlantic Health System
Atlantic Health System, headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey, is a leading non-profit, clinically integrated health care system comprised of Atlantic Medical Group with more than 900 physicians and multispecialty care providers, medical centers, rehabilitation and urgent care. Atlantic Medical Group had more than 1.2 million patient visits in 2016. Locations include Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ; Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ; Newton Medical Center in Newton, NJ; Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, NJ; Hackettstown Medical Center in Hackettstown, NJ; and Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown, NJ, as well as Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute, and Atlantic Home Care and Hospice. It also includes its subsidiary, Atlantic Ambulance Corporation. Atlantic Health System comprises 1,747 licensed beds, nearly 16,000 employees and more than 3,700 physicians. Atlantic Health System has a medical school affiliation with the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University; is part of Atlantic Accountable Care Organization, one of the largest ACOs in the nation, and is a member of AllSpire Health Partners.