Evesham Township was designated by the The New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute as a 2025 winner of its Mayors Wellness Campaign Healthy Town in March for the sixth consecutive year.
The township was officially awarded by the institute at a June 10 council meeting. Winners are cited annually for their efforts in the previous year to go above and beyond in improving health and wellness in their communities through innovative programs in areas like exercise, healthy eating and mental-health education.Â
The institute is an independent nonprofit dedicated to improving the safety, quality and affordability of health care. Since 1997, it has led statewide efforts to transform care by bringing health systems, insurers, providers, consumer groups and employers together to find solutions grounded in evidence and collaboration.
The nonprofit’s work spans policy development, quality improvement and community health initiatives that advance evidence-based policies and champion best practices.
The Mayors Wellness Campaign is the institute’s partnership program with the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, a voluntary association created to help communities do a better job of self-government by pooling information resources and brainpower. It has served local officials throughout the state since 1915, and all 564 of New Jersey’s municipalities are league members.
Each year, communities participating in the campaign complete a comprehensive Healthy Town application outlining the research they’ve done to identify community health needs. The applications also highlight actions the towns have taken.
​Evesham again earned Healthy Town designation by working closely with community partners and local businesses to offer inclusive wellness programs. The institute cited the township’s commitment to its senior population through regular events, classes and trips that promote social connection and lifelong learning.
Last year, Evesham introduced a twinning ceremony to celebrate diverse cultures and nationalities with a delegation of representatives from France.
Katie Bisaha, a program officer for the institute, attended the June council meeting to present a plaque to township officials.
“This designation recognizes communities that make health and wellness a priority, and take meaningful steps to support the wellbeing of residents,” Bisaha said. “What makes this recognition so well deserved is not just the number of programs or events, although those do stand out to us, it’s really what’s behind them and what thew thought is.
“(Evesham) work shows a clear commitment to building a community where people feel included supported and connected,” she added. “I’ve noticed that year after year, this starts with inclusivity, (which) is at the heart of what you do in Evesham.
“When a family can enjoy a park because it includes sensory board or is wheelchair accessible, you’re not just improving the playground, you’re telling everybody that they have a place where they belong in your community, and that sense of belonging connects directly to holistic health.
“Health isn’t just when you’re at your doctor’s office,” Bisaha added. “It’s where you live, what food you have access to and who’s around to support you in times of need and stress. And that does include your community and local government.”
“I just want to follow up by saying thank you to everyone who serves on boards, gives feedback and participates in events, because it really is what helps make (the township) able to submit for the healthy town (designation) year after year,” Mayor Jackie Veasy noted at the meeting.
“So thank you all for everything you do to help make us a healthy town.”
To learn more about the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute and the Mayors Wellness Campaign, visit www.njhcqi.org.
