USANA Presents The Richie Byrne Show as Part of its Ongoing Philanthropic Commitment to HealthCorps

SALT LAKE CITY, July 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- USANA Health Sciences Inc. (NYSE: USNA) is proud to present The Richie Byrne Show, a theatrical fundraiser for HealthCorps, the non-profit organization founded by Mehmet Oz, M.D. As part of its continuing multiyear commitment to funding HealthCorps' work with under privileged high schools teaching fitness, nutrition and mental resilience, USANA earnestly enters the arts landscape with its decision to underwrite The Richie Byrne Show. Portions of the grant and proceeds from the show will go directly to HealthCorps and the facilitation of its programs in 66 schools located in 14 states as well as the District of Columbia.

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The Richie Byrne Show is an Off Broadway production happening July 11th, 2013 in New York City at New World Stages; the site of countless pilots, which over the decades went on to become major Broadway productions. The edgy, grassroots sketch comedy includes Broadway style musical numbers interspersed with witty satire. The show is an outgrowth of Byrne's 25 years in standup comedy and musical theater, and his work as the warm-up comedian for The Dr. Oz Show.

"Using the arts as a fundraising mechanism is a smart way to call attention to the important mission of an organization like HealthCorps while providing the opportunity for a great evening of entertainment," said Dave Wentz, CEO of USANA Health Sciences. "Since we started our relationship with HealthCorps, we have watched them think outside the box with their various efforts, and we're always enthused with how they include the community and keep the profile of their work high."

In accordance with its philosophy that drives its corporate philanthropy, USANA has supported HealthCorps significantly over the past two years thus directly impacting classrooms by paying for coordinators' salaries and other critical programming needs. HealthCorps coordinators are recent college graduates who carry out unique in-school and community programming, targeting high schools in less fortunate populations across the nation. Funding a public theater production allows the community a window into the good work of HealthCorps while showcasing the social responsibility of USANA.

Tickets are available online at http://bit.ly/RichieShow

About HealthCorps
HealthCorps® http://healthcorps.org/who-we-are/about/ is a 501 (C) 3 co-founded by Dr. Mehmet Oz, the world-renowned cardiac surgeon and two-time Daytime Emmy® Award-winning host of the three-time Daytime Emmy® Award-winning "The Dr. Oz Show," and his wife, Lisa Oz, to combat the childhood obesity crisis. HealthCorps® is building a nationwide movement to shape a new generation.

HealthCorps® "Coordinators" carry out unique in-school and community programming targeting high-need populations. Using peer-mentoring to deliver a progressive curriculum in nutrition, fitness and mental strength, HealthCorps® Coordinators give teens purpose, help develop human character, and inspire an interest in health and culinary arts careers. HealthCorps® also serves as a unique research laboratory – exploring the complex, underlying causes of the obesity crisis and discovering and communicating solutions. HealthCorps® is bringing many initiatives together to address the "Whole Child" and activate the students' mind, body and spirit. As a result, HealthCorps® is transforming the educational paradigm one school at a time. The program network spans 66 schools in 14 states and the District of Columbia.

In the fall of 2012, HealthCorps introduced HealthCorps University, a new "train the trainer" professional development program that makes the HealthCorps principles and curriculum available to virtually any school. Through HealthCorps University and the Coordinator program, HealthCorps hopes to have a presence in 100 schools by 2015.

You can follow HealthCorps on Twitter https://twitter.com/HealthCorps and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HealthCorps.

About Richie Byrne
For over twenty years Richie Byrne has worked the top comedy venues here and abroad. Richie is also very proud to be the warm-up comic for "The Dr. Oz Show" since its inception in 2009. He recently performed at Radio City Music Hall as the opening act to the "Dr. Oz Health & Happiness Summit". Richie is also an accomplished actor and singer with a long resume of theatrical and television credits including "Sex & the City", "The Sopranos" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent". He can also be seen in the Indie film, "Goodbye Baby", where he served as featured actor, comedian and advisor, as well as writing material for the leading character's stand-up routine. He also writes, produces and stars in his own musical variety series "The Richie Byrne Show," which can be seen at Gotham Comedy Club in New York City.

About USANA
Founded in 1992, USANA Health Sciences (NYSE: USNA) is a U.S.-based nutritional company that manufactures high-quality supplements and personal care, energy and weight-management products in its FDA-registered facility in Salt Lake City. USANA's products, used by more than 600 professional athletes, are developed by the company's award-winning team of scientists and sold directly to Preferred Customers and Associates in 18 international markets. USANA has earned NSF Certified for Sport® certification for its SportsPak, Essentials™ (Chelated Mineral and Mega Antioxidant), Proflavanol® C100, Active Calcium™, Procosa® and BiOmega™ products. It has also earned NSF dietary supplement certification for its HealthPak™.

USANA is the No. 1 Rated Brand in Direct Sales Based on Customer Satisfaction in ConsumerLab.com's 2013 Survey of Vitamin and Supplement Users. Named one of Outside magazine's "Best Places to Work" for four consecutive years, USANA has received more than 100 state, national and international accolades, including Utah Best of State, Stevie Awards, Australian Business Awards, NutriSearch Editor's Choice and others. Learn more about USANA (www.USANA.com) and the USANA True Health Foundation (www.USANAfoundation.org/), stay current with the official USANA blog (www.whatsupUSANA.com), like us on the USANA Facebook page (www.facebook.com/USANAhealthsciences), or follow USANA on Twitter (@USANAinc).

Media Contact: Ashley Collins
Executive Director of PR, Social Media and Communications
USANA Health Sciences Inc.
(801) 954-7629
media(at)us.usana(dot)com

SOURCE USANA Health Sciences Inc.

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