Jackson Free Press

As the grand marshal for the city of Jackson's annual holiday parade, Dr. Clay Hays is using his time in the limelight to promote healthier living in the city.

At a morning press conference, the city announced that Hays, a cardiologist at the Jackson Heart Clinic, will lead the Dec. 4 parade, with the theme: "Have a holly, jolly, healthy holiday."

Hays, 45, is a member of the Governor's Taskforce for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention and chairman of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership. He recently led efforts to organize the Global Obesity Summit in Jackson earlier this month. During the parade, he will ride a stationary bike attached to his float.

"Instead of being in a convertible sitting, I'm going to ride a bike," he says. "We are trying to get the cyclist community to have floats and the hospitals to have floats and (encourage) the theme: Give the gift of healthy holiday gift ideas."

Hays, who is an avid cyclist, has used his role with the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership to make Jackson more bike friendly. The GJCP is currently working with the city to turn former railroad tracks behind the Belhaven neighborhood into a bike path.

"Part of the chamber's role is to promote economic development and quality of life, and I am a big quality-of-life guy," Hays says. "We have to have things for people to do that are healthy and fun."

The Jackson native received his bachelor's degree in psychology from Ole Miss and his medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. He attended the Mayo Clinic for his residency in internal medicine. He lives in Jackson with his wife, Elizabeth, and sons Wilson, 15, and Tyler, 16.

The parade is Dec. 4, 2010, at noon in downtown Jackson. The city's annual tree lighting is Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. For more information, call the mayor's office at 960-1084.