Jennifer Lopez Foundation announces partnership with Bronx medical giant

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Thursday, May 8, 2014, 4:22 PM

Pool/Getty Images Lopez, seen here with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, will be joining forces with borough medical giant Montefiore, to establish the Center for a Healthy Childhood in her native Bronx.

She’s famous the world over, but Jennifer Lopez says she’ll always be Jenny from the block. Now, she is partnering with borough medical giant Montefiore to help Bronx children.

The iconic pop star said her personal history made the Center for a Healthy Childhood — her answer to First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! program — a natural fit.

We’re looking forward to expanding the efforts underway in the borough where I grew up

“My roots are in the Bronx,” said Lopez, 44, a product of Castle Hill. “It was natural to join forces with Montefiore. We’re looking forward to expanding the efforts underway in the borough where I grew up.”

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images Lopez returned to to American Idol for the 2014 season after taking 2013 off from the American Television titan.

Her Lopez Family Foundation will work with Montefiore to launch nutrition and physical activity programs that target women and children and promote healthy living.

Joey Scarborough/New York Daily News Montefiore has faced scrutiny in recent months stemming from extraordinary wait times and overcrowding. Protestors at an October rally enacted a skit about the practice of placing patients in hospital hallways instead of private rooms.

“Through this partnership, we know we can make a big difference to improve the health and well-being of families in the Bronx,” said Lynda Lopez, who co-founded the foundation with her grammy-nominated, platinum selling, American Idol-judging sister.

infusny-03/No Credit Lopez’s prolific career has seen the Bronx native enjoyed massive success across the music, film and television industry.

The Bronx currently ranks dead last among the state’s 62 counties in overall health outcomes. Bronxites — and particularly children — continue to log staggeringly high rates of asthma, diabetes and teen pregnancy.

“We are so pleased to work with Jennifer and her Foundation to impact real change for people living in the Bronx and the surrounding region,” said Dr. Steven M. Safyer, Montefiore’s president and CEO.

The sides have yet to hammer out the details, including the duration and amount of Lopez’ commitment, and there is no timeline for the program’s kickoff.

jscarborough@nydailynews.com

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