Locally Produced Health Series Nominated for Emmy in its First Year

Locally Produced Health Series Nominated for Emmy in its First Year

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The locally developed and produced HealthSmart television series has been nominated for a Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award in its very first year on the air. The idea for the program was conceived by Capital BlueCross, the area's largest health insurer, as an innovative way to educate the community on timely and relevant health issues and illness prevention. Capital BlueCross partnered with WITF-TV, who produces and broadcasts the series from their new public media center in Harrisburg, Pa.

The series of half-hour health shows feature stories from real patients and survivors as well as advice from subject matter experts. HealthSmart is nominated in the Health/Science Program category.

"Helping people to understand and eventually achieve the benefits of healthy lifestyles is so important to us that we wanted to find a new and effective way to bring that message to the community," said Anita M. Smith, president & CEO of Capital BlueCross. "The creative staff at WITF did a great job at helping us bring this idea to life. The fact that a program which is focused on healthy living can win an Emmy nomination in its first year of broadcast is a remarkable achievement and a testament to its value."

"Kudos to Capital BlueCross for coming up with such a great idea and to HealthSmart's production team for excellent execution. This series is having an impact on the lives of our viewers," said Cara Williams Fry, executive producer.

To date, the HealthSmart series has focused on child obesity, the avian flu and influenza prevention, heart disease, preventative maintenance, sleep and exercise. The next series installment will be on stress and premieres on WITF-TV Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. All six topics are available to Capital BlueCross customers on DVD.

The Emmy Awards ceremony will be held in Philadelphia on Saturday, Sept. 15. Individuals nominated are Maria Petrilak -- Host/Producer, Mitch Mathias -- Editor/Associate Producer, Al Bonilla -- Videographer/Technical Director and Cara Williams Fry -- Executive Producer/Director. The Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards recognize excellence in regional television news, programming and individual achievement. Peer panels in other major television markets judge the entries.

Capital BlueCross is the leading health insurer in its region, providing health insurance coverage to nearly one million people in central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley. Capital BlueCross is committed to making health insurance simple for its customers and members through all the stages of life by offering nationally acclaimed customer service and a full range of innovative benefit programs at competitive prices.

The company has been providing health security to the people and communities of central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley for almost 70 years and employs more than 2,300 people in the region.

Capital BlueCross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

More information about Capital BlueCross can be found at www.capbluecross.com.

WITF, Inc., is a trusted, valued supplier of programs and services that both satisfy and stimulate curiosity for residents in every community in the central Pennsylvania region. WITF broadcast services reach audiences in over 17 counties in central Pennsylvania. The company comprises public broadcasting stations WITF-TV, WITF-FM, news networks RadioPA Networks and Public Radio Capitol News, monthly regional magazine Central PA, WITF.org, WITF Educational Services, and WITF Media Solutions.

More information about HealthSmart and WITF can be found at www.witf.org

Source: Capital BlueCross

CONTACT: Joseph Butera, of Capital BlueCross, +1-717-541-6139,
Joe.Butera@capbluecross.com

Web site: http://www.capbluecross.com/
http://www.witf.org/

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