RWJBarnabas Health and Sky Blue FC to collaborate on community health outreach programs and initiatives
From left, Sky Blue FC players Raquel Rodriguez, Imani Dorsey, Kailen Sheridan, Sarah Killion, Caprice Dydasco, and Estelle Johnson pose in front of RWJBarnabas Health’s Wellness on Wheels mobile education center at the team’s training facility in Lakewood, NJ
West Orange, New Jersey, April 11, 2019 ---- RWJBarnabas Health, in collaboration with Sky Blue FC, today announced that the state’s largest most comprehensive Health Care System will serve as an “Official Partner” and the “Official Healthcare Provider” of the New Jersey-based National Women’s Soccer League franchise. This multi-faceted partnership aligns with RWJBarnabas Health’s mission to advance health care while promoting health and wellness initiatives and education in communities served across the state.
Through this partnership, RWJBarnabas Health and Sky Blue FC will jointly develop a community outreach program to better educate diverse audiences, including youth athletes and women, on the importance of proper nutrition, maximizing sports performance and healthy habits.
As the only women’s professional soccer team in New Jersey, Sky Blue FC has competed in the National Women's Soccer League since 2013. Led by United States National Team Captain, Carli Lloyd, Sky Blue FC plays its home matches at Yurcak Field on the campus of Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ, with Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ, serving as the team’s official training facility.
“RWJBarnabas Health is delighted to become the official Healthcare Provider of Sky Blue FC, supporting the growth of women’s professional athletes, while aligning with our outstanding sports medicine practice,” said Barry H. Ostrowsky, President and Chief Executive Officer, RWJBarnabas Health. “We are all about New Jersey, and a partnership with the state’s only women’s professional soccer franchise is a perfect fit for our culture and philosophy, especially as an organization with so many women leaders throughout our system.”
Additionally, Jason Krystofiak, MD, an RWJBarnabas Health sports medicine physician, will serve as Medical Director for Sky Blue FC. As Medical Director, Dr. Krystofiak, who works at RWJBarnabas Health Primary Care in Eatontown, NJ, as well as Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ, has already started working with the team having supervised all pre-season physicals for the Sky Blue FC players. Dr. Krystofiak will attend all home games and will closely monitor the health and wellness of the team members on a daily basis throughout the season.
“On behalf of RWJBarnabas Health, I am extremely proud to serve as the Medical Director for Sky Blue FC in 2019,” said Dr. Krystofiak. “This team is made up of world-class athletes and we will strive to keep the players on the field, and performing at the highest level.”
Through this partnership, RWJBarnabas Health will receive front of jersey logo placement on all Sky Blue FC gameday and replica jerseys.
Additional highlights between RWJBarnabas Health and Sky Blue FC include player appearances and community-based programs and special events integrating health and wellness education, among other initiatives.
“It’s exciting to have RWJBarnabas Health become part of the Sky Blue FC family, serving as a valuable partner in monitoring the health and well-being of our players throughout the season,” said Denise Reddy, Head Coach, Sky Blue FC. “The System has a strong presence across the state, and Dr. Jason Krystofiak’s expertise will be instrumental as we compete against world-class competition.”
Sky Blue’s season opener will be played on April 13 against the Washington Spirit at Maryland SoccerPlex. The home opener will take place on Saturday, April 20 against the Houston Dash at Rutgers’ Yurcak Field.
For more information on Sky Blue FC visit www.skybluefc.com.
From left, Sky Blue FC players Caprice Dydasco, Estelle Johnson, Sarah Killion, and Imani Dorsey pose in their new RWJBarnabas Health uniforms at the team’s training facility in Lakewood, NJ.
ABOUT RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering nine counties with five million people. The system includes eleven acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, RWJUH in New Brunswick, RWJUH Somerset in Somerville, RWJUH Hamilton, RWJUH Rahway and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston; three acute care children’s hospitals and a leading pediatric rehabilitation hospital with a network of outpatient centers (Children’s Specialized Hospital) with its multiple outpatient centers, a freestanding 100-bed behavioral health center, two trauma centers, a satellite emergency department, ambulatory care centers, geriatric centers, the state’s largest behavioral health network, comprehensive home care and hospice programs, fitness and wellness centers, retail pharmacy services, a medical group, multi-site imaging centers and two accountable care organizations.
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest private employer – with more than 33,000 employees, 9,000 physicians and 1,000 residents and interns – and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBarnabas Health recently announced a partnership with Rutgers University to create New Jersey’s largest academic health care system. The collaboration will align RWJBarnabas Health with Rutgers’ education, research and clinical activities, including those at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. RWJBarnabas Health, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - brings a world class team of researchers and specialists to fight alongside you, providing close-to-home access to the latest treatment and clinical trials.
ABOUT Sky Blue FC
Based in New Jersey, Sky Blue FC is one of the nine member clubs in the National Women’s Soccer League, which boasts the entire U.S. Women’s National Team and some of the greatest international players in the world. Operated by Sky Blue Women’s Soccer Inc., Sky Blue FC was originally established in the fall of 2006, making its debut on the field with the launch of Jersey Sky Blue in the W-League of the United Soccer Leagues in 2007. Sky Blue FC made its professional debut in 2009, winning the inaugural Women’s Professional Soccer championship that year. Sky Blue FC is committed to the advancement of women’s soccer. We believe that when soccer is played well, it is truly the beautiful game. As such, Sky Blue FC focuses on the technical ability and tactical awareness of its players. Sky Blue FC also strives to play a brand of World Class soccer that is both entertaining and winning, all to the benefit of those who appreciate the game.
Contacts: Carrie Cristello
908-347-3157
Carrie.Cristello@rwjbh.org
Nichole Paolino
518-365-0385
npaolino@skybluesoccer.com