Holy Name Press Releases

J. Christopher Mendler, MD appointed Medical Director of HNH Fitness Holy Name Medical Center's medically-based fitness center in Oradell, NJ

June 10, 2014

Holy Name Medical Center is proud to announce the appointment of J. Christopher Mendler, MD, as medical director of HNH Fitness – Holy Name's medically-based fitness center in Oradell, NJ.

"As medical director of HNH Fitness, I have the opportunity to work with a team of professionals to develop medically-oriented fitness and wellness programs that incorporate regular physical activity, sound nutrition practices and other sensible lifestyle choices to help improve the health and well-being of our members, our patients, and the community around us."

Active over the years in a variety of sports himself - swimming, cycling, running, hiking and triathlon sporting events – Dr. Mendler is a strong believer in the therapeutic benefits of regular exercise and physical activity, and the concept that "exercise is medicine." Dr. Mendler is board-certified in sports medicine and family medicine and serves as Medical Director of Sports Medicine at Holy Name Medical Center where he is a member of the Holy Name Physician Network. After receiving his bachelor's degree in biology at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Mendler earned his medical degree from the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey UMDNJ - New Jersey Medical School. He completed his internship and residency at UMDNJ - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, followed by a fellowship in Sports Medicine at Methodist Sports Medicine, of Indiana University School of Medicine.

Dr. Mendler has worked with Saint Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ, to develop a hospital-based sports medicine program where he served as Medical Director. He has also worked with college, high school, and professional teams as team physician. He has an ongoing role with colleges, high schools and K-12 school systems as School Physician / Chief Medical Officer.  Dr. Mendler served as US Team Physician for the 1999 World Championship Long Course Triathlon, in Säter, Sweden and served as Assistant Medical Director to the 2012 US Championship Ironman Triathlon NY-NJ.

When asked if he would continue to see patients on an individual basis, Dr. Mendler said, "Absolutely. I see this new opportunity as an extension of my role as a sports medicine physician, not as an alternative. It's an opportunity to reach more lives than any one physician could possibly reach in a traditional office setting, but it does not replace that individualized care of the traditional physician – patient relationship. We are looking to develop a blended model of care, bringing exercise to the medical model in a way that recognizes exercise in the same manner as any other treatment modality."

Dr. Mendler was in private practice for nine years with Sports Medicine Physician Associates, LLC, and has been a member of Holy Name's medical staff since 2006. He joined the Holy Name Physician Associates in 2009, and the Holy Name Physician Network in 2012.



To learn more about HNH Fitness in Oradell, visit http://www.HNHFitness.com.