de S a l u d
P úb l ica
September 20, 2012
Awards Committees
Amy Dillon
Kyle Legleiter
Dianna Damask
Martha Hubbard
Alicia Myers
LeAnne Jeffers
Martha Meyer
Cerise Hunt
Laurie Schneider
Adrienne Wolf
Pam Kurth
Tsering Dorjee
Jim Dale
Burke Fishburn
Erin Suelmann
Christine Billings
Carol McDonald
Kendall Krause
Emily O’Winter
Sarah Lampe
Amber Banducci
Tarik Walker
Alix Hopkins
Jan Gascoigne
Steve Holloway
Lisa Cohen
Norman Tubman
Kellie Teter
Charles Smedly
Kathy Jacobsen
Rita Beam
Stephanie Stark
Carol McDonald
Tsering Dorjee
Kathy Gaines
Nanette Wong
Leigh Fischer
Lindsey Hopper
Adrienne Veyna
Susan Westhof
Anna Vickery
Amy Bubar
Melanie Stopponi
Margaret Wacker
Westley Reed
Kim Buettner-Garrett
With over 350 members, the Colorado
Public Health Association works to
assure healty people and healthy
places in Colorado. Members receive
networking, professional education
and advocacy through CPHA.
SABIN AWARD
The Florence Sabin Award was established in 1947 by the Colorado Public Health
Association. The award is made for achievement in the public health field, in
recognition of the outstanding leadership of Dr. Florence Sabin in the promotion
of better public health in Colorado. The person must not be employed full time
in public health.
Rick Hughes
Colorado Springs School District 11
Who would have thought that Colorado Springs School District 11, the school
district with the dubious distinction of being featured in Fast Food Nation: The
Dark Side of the All-American Meal, by Eric Schlosser, would help lead the
healthy school meal revolution.
Thanks to the determined, visionary leadership of Rick H. Hughes, Director, Food
& Nutrition Services, Colorado Springs School District 11 can now boast about
the food it serves to its students. Gone are pre-cooked, frozen foods. Gone
are fried foods. Gone is the national food service company, Sodexo that once
provided all of the district’s meals. But the changes didn’t happen overnight.
Mr. Hughes came to D-11 in 1997 as an employee of Sodexo, but insights from
Kenner’s movie Food, Inc. and other experts such as Eric Schlosser, Michael
Pollan, Joel Salatin, and Ana Sofia Jones made Mr. Hughes question the status
quo and look for ways to improve the system.
“In 2006 we got rid of Sodexo,’ he said. ‘Then we could make better decisions
about the best foods for kids. And we could keep track of the money and
how it was being spent. We could put money back into food for the kids, the
staff and community’” (Farney, T., The Gazette, The new school lunch: D-11
students eat meals made by staff from natural, local foods, August 15, 2011).
A clear vision and plan followed that emphasized eliminating highly processed
foods from the menus. For more than five years now, the beef and chicken has
been antibiotic/hormone-free, and the Farm to School program was started to
increase the supply of local foods to the school. New foods prepared on site
meant that a chef was needed to make sure the students would eat these
healthier new meals. So, executive chef Brian Axworthy was hired to create
the menus. And changing the menus meant that the food service staff would
now be cooking, much like they did decades ago. The new staff demands
resulted in extensive training for the food service staff. Dubbed culinary
boot camp, staff learns food safety, baking techniques, culinary math,
vegetable cookery, sauce preparation and knife skills among other
things. While some of the dishes on today’s menu may sound
like old favorites, they are lower in fats, sugar and sodium,
yet high in flavor and nutrition. Ever mindful that changes
had to be financially sustainable, Mr. Hughes was instrumental in obtaining grant
funding for the boot camps from LiveWell Colorado and in redirecting money
that was spent on the Sodexo contract to make needed changes.
Changes continue to be made in 2012 to achieve the goal of serving healthy,
sustainable foods. “Through a grant at Galileo MS, we built a 42’ geodesic
dome greenhouse and began the Galileo Garden Project, where we grow fresh
vegetables and herbs to utilize throughout the department. We also began a
new community partnership this Spring with Discover Goodwill to serve healthy,
sustainable foods to their disabled and elderly adult clients in two of their site
cafeterias as a way to generate additional income to cover fixed costs of the
department” (Rick Hughes, SY2012 Accomplishments in D11 Food & Nutrition
Services).
“While we have been climbing this mountain to move away from highly processed
foods for the last several years, we had reached only a ‘false summit’ with our
efforts and had a ways to go to make our goal of removing all highly-processed
foods from D11 breakfast and lunch menus by January 2012. In order to make
this change away from still serving some highly processed items to a system
of mostly scratch-cooked foods, we needed a significant final push. Through
major efforts, which completely turned our systems upside-down, we moved
from a production and distribution system with five Base Kitchens who prepared
almost everything to a more efficient and effective system of four Production
Centers which prepares only specific items. This resulted in a menu, now
being served, which contains mostly scratch-cooked and only a few minimally
processed items (with clean labels) where this makes financial sense. We have
provided training to hundreds of ESP FNS staff members through ‘boot camp’
training and constant support through our Executive Chef, Brian Axworthy. We
are also purchasing ‘local’ whenever we can, adding approximately $750,000
back to the local economy this year through local purchases of beef, milk, fruits,
vegetables, and yes, coffee!” (ibid.).
Mr. Hughes has changed what the 29,000 plus students in Colorado Springs
School District 11 can eat for breakfast and lunch each school day. Mr. Hughes
has shown that providing healthy, sustainable foods in our schools makes good
financial sense. He has introduced countless numbers of children to healthy eating
habits. He has attacked the problem of childhood obesity by eliminating
some of its contributing factors and developing healthier habits. He did
it before it was popular, trendy or before others had shown the way.
Given the success in making the transformation, Mr. Hughes and a
few of his team members have started a new company called
“School Meal Solutions” www.SchoolMealSolutions.com.
Mr. Hughes exemplifies the spirit of Florence Sabin by doing
what he believed was right in the face of overwhelming
odds thereby making a profound impact on the health
of our children.
Award for Technical Innovation in Public Health
This award was established in 1972 by an anonymous CPHA member in recognition
of Mr. Jacoe’s devotion to duty, his excellence of work and accomplishments,
his interest, his leadership and contributions to the physical science field of
public health. The award is to be given to a person working in public health who
has made an outstanding contribution in the field of physical sciences. The
recipient must work in a public health laboratory, in water pollution, air pollution,
radiological health, occupational health, sanitation or public health engineering.
Berrin Sedar
Colorado School of Public Health
Dr. Sedar manages an environmental lab within the Colorado School of Public
Health. She is also associated with the University of Colorado Cancer Center.
Recently Dr. Serdar published a paper with the British Medical Journal indicating
that roofers have high PAH blood-levels after working a shift and that these
levels of PAHs are linked to increased rates of DNA damage and possibly higher
cancer risks.
PAHs are a complex mixture of chemicals some of which are known human
carcinogens. They are produced by incomplete combustion of organic materials
and exist in tobacco smoke, engine exhaust, or can come from environmental
sources like forest fires, but the highest exposure is among occupational groups,
for example coke oven workers or workers who use hot asphalt.
Although we can’t say with certainty that exposure to hot asphalt causes roofers’
increased cancer rate, that possibility is becoming increasingly likely. Hot asphalt
leads to PAH exposure, leads to higher PAH biomarkers, leads to increased DNA
damage – we hope to further explore the final link between DNA damage due to
PAH exposure and higher cancer rates in this population.”
Dr. Serdar and colleagues at the CU Cancer Center have initiated a wider
study of roofers in the Denver metropolitan area. This study will simultaneously
investigate air, blood, and urine levels of PAHs and their link to DNA damage in
samples collected over a workweek.
Roy Cleere Distinguished Service Award
The award goes to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to
the association and to public health in Colorado. The Colorado Public Health
Association’s Distinguished Service Award was renamed in 1974 in honor of Dr.
Cleere who was the director of the Colorado Department of Health for 38 years.
Christine Nevin-Woods
Pueblo City-County Health Department
• Currently serving her second term on the Colorado State Board of Health;
• Worked with the community, medical profession and professional
associations to pass one of the first comprehensive community SmokeFree ordinances in the State of Colorado, specifically in Pueblo, Colorado;
• Served as CPHA President from 2009-2010; member since 2006;
• Appointed to serve on National Vaccine Advisory Committee for the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services representing state/local public
health from September 2007 – June 2012; served as co-chair of the
Healthcare Personnel Vaccination Subgroup;
• President of the Pueblo County Medical Society (2011-2012;
• Instrumental in forming and maintaining a relationship between public
health and Pueblo’s federally qualified health center; this relationship has
served as a model throughout the State of Colorado;
• In 2010, Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and Kaiser Permanente
contacted Chris to explore using IHI principles with public health and
through this partnership Chris is helping to form a non-profit group that
will apply the Triple Aim approach to health care in Pueblo. The population
health aspect of Triple Aim is critical to public health as a whole.
• Active role in communicable disease, international travel clinic, teen
pregnancy prevention and sees patients in family planning clinic on a
regular basis;
• Continually promotes the profession of public health. Developed curriculum
to teach physicians in residency about public health and how public health
interacts and serves as a partner with private practice specifically related
to prevention and promotion; mentors students who have
an interest in the medical field, and offers internships to
support not only those with an interest in the medical field,
but other educational fields in order to acquaint them with
public health;
• Active role as the liaison between the child protection
system in Pueblo and public health by serving as the
medical consultant for 19 years at the Pueblo Child
Advocacy Center and maintaining a connection of the
system with public health.
CHAMP Award
The Community Health Action-Motivated Person (CHAMP) Award was created in
1982 and goes to a full-time public health employee who is not in a high level
management position. The recipient must be a member of CPHA and will be
selected on the basis of his or her helpful, courteous and professional service
in working with the public and fellow employees and whose outstanding service
brings credibility and respect to the public health agency.
Cassondra Franco
Chaffee County Public Health
Cassondra began her employment at Chaffee County Public Health as a fulltime RN/
PHN December 2011. Due to an unforeseen nursing shortage in our agency at that time,
her orientation was put into fast track. She accepted that challenge without complaint
and remained positive and motivated throughout her PHN training. During her intense 6
month orientation, she took the initiative to start a new public health program! With her
background in labor and delivery and community education for new parents, Cassondra
recognized a gap in home visitation for newborns and mothers in our county. She
aspired to develop a nurse home visitation program (NHVP) with the goal of increasing
rates of exclusive breastfeeding from birth to 6 months. The American Academy of
Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and it is a key
component of CDPHE’s Winnable Battles on Obesity.
In addition to home visitation breastfeeding support, Cassondra’s NHVP will also
provide education about infant development, infant passenger safety, support for
tobacco cessation, and perinatal depression screening. To prepare for implementation
of the NHVP, she completed several courses in the past 6 months: Lactation Counselor
Program (1 week training) and became a Certified Lactation Counselor; National Child
Passenger Safety Certification Training Program (4 day training) and became a Certified
Passenger Safety Technician; Travel Safe for All Kids; Cavity Free at 3 program and
became a provider; Bright Beginnings parent educational course; Using an EvidenceBased Public Health Framework to Improve Outcomes; Breastfeeding: New Pathways for
Evidence-Based Practice; Healthcare Provider Breastfeeding Seminar. The new Chaffee
County NHVP will be an MCH deliverable for the option: promote screening, referral
and support for pregnancy-related depression. In addition to initiation of a new public
health program, Cassondra completed a multitude of EPR and Communicable Disease
trainings, participated in EPR tabletops, and attended PHNAC, MCH, and Immunization
conferences. She coordinates our Immunization and HCP programs, is on our CHAPS
project management team, and participates in several county coalitions.
With her insight into population based health care, Cassondra is an excellent
public health nurse who promotes the mission of public health through
collaboration with community partners. In just 8 months, Cassondra has
demonstrated a true passion for public health nursing which is highly
commendable. Her accomplishments and contributions to our public
health agency are remarkable.
Award for Legislative Excellence
Established in 1988 by CPHA, this award is presented annually to a person or
organization for highly visible past or present efforts within the state or nation
in support of public health issues. Membership in CPHA is not a prerequisite.
Bill Fisher
City of Golden (City Council Member) / Rose Medical Center (nurse)
Golden City Councilor Bill Fisher is deserving of the CPHA Legislative Excellence
Award because of his exemplary leadership in making health a priority in the City
of Golden, Colorado. Councilor Fisher serves as the Tobacco-Free Jefferson
County liaison on the Golden City Council and recently led the charge on the
passage of an ordinance requiring that any retailer that sells non-cigarette
tobacco in the City of Golden be licensed by the City to do so. Licensing is a
critical component of a comprehensive policy strategy to prevent tobacco use
among minors.
The tobacco licensing ordinance passed unanimously among the Golden City
Council this past April, and the unanimous vote among City Council was evidence
of Councilor Fisher’s tireless support of the legislation. He carefully reviewed
data and information provided to him while also doing research on his own
to better understand the benefits of the community prevention strategy of
licensing. His efforts to encourage civic engagement should also be recognized.
Councilor Fisher models a consistent balance of logic and practicality when
making decisions on behalf of the community about which he cares so much.
He takes a hands-on approach in health-promotion as a nurse in his “day job”,
and his passion for health is made obvious through his thoughtful consideration
of how proposed legislation might impact the community across multiple
dimensions. In addition, Councilor Fisher recognizes the important role that
government plays in protecting the health and safety of a community through
enacting effective policies.
Councilor Fisher received a Public Health Champion Award in 2010 from Jefferson
County Public Health in recognition of championing the cause for inclusion of
radon resistant new construction language into the residential construction code
for the City of Golden. In addition to raising awareness of the heightened risk
of radon in Golden, Jefferson County Public Health is honored to also recognize
Councilor Fisher for his valuable contributions to tobacco
prevention.
Emerging Leader in Public Health
This award is given to an individual with less than five years practice serving in
a public health capacity who has demonstrated outstanding initiative on behalf
of the Colorado public health community.
Amber Leytem
Denver Public Health
Amber exemplifies the leadership qualities and attributes needed in public health.
Since coming to Denver Public Health, Amber has provided tremendous leadership
not only in overseeing her programs but in continually striving for innovation and
advancement on behalf of the communities that we serve.
Amber Leytem, though early in her public health career, has demonstrated great
knowledge of the essential public health services. She constantly encourages those
around her to, “move down the pyramid”. She has helped lead Denver Public Health
in several initiatives including department wide staff development standards and
expectations and incorporating a results accountability framework into the programing
of Denver Public Health.
In terms of staff development, she helped to lead the development and implementation
of a comprehensive staff development program for all of Denver Public Health that
focuses on the professional development for the entire workforce. Staff development
demonstrates support for all employees ensuring that each employee is able to reach
their potential. Amber facilitated the processes used to ensure that staff had a voice
regarding what was important to them and then helped to develop and implement a
comprehensive approach to workforce development.
Denver Public Health has a strategic plan to implement a results accountability
framework to all of our strategic areas in order to assess each program’s contribution
to protecting and improving the health of residents of Denver, Colorado. This is
a large scale endeavor that is shifting how strategic areas will address quality in
their public health work. Amber is providing tremendous leadership in implementing
this approach into all of our programs. She is facilitating a number of workshops
for the various groups and providing support and encouragement as the various
programs address population results and performance goals. This transformation is
challenging and requires great skill and leadership in order to move programmatic
teams forward. Staff has acknowledged that while the process is challenging, Amber
has provided valuable guidance and support in facilitating this system level change in
our organization.
In summary, Amber is a very hard working and dedicated public health
employee, demonstrating ingenuity in all aspects of her work. Since coming
to Denver Public Health, she has grown into one of the strongest employees
we have. Never daunted by challenges or adversity, she sees them as
opportunities, always trying to grow and learn.
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award honors an individual who has retired from full-time employment in
public health, in recognition of their outstanding contributions and leadership in
the field of public health.
Jacqueline Brown
Prowers County Public Health & Environment (Retired)
Jackie Brown is the consummate public health nurse and advocate for local
public health.
Her career in public health essentially began more than three decades ago when
she worked as a medical assistant in a government-sponsored community clinic
in a designated health professional shortage area in southeast Colorado. As a
single mother with three small children, Jackie not only found the time to provide
assistance in the clinic and raise her children, she also had the stamina and
passion to take the necessary coursework to receive her degree in nursing, and
then go on to get her advanced degree as a family nurse practitioner.
Early on she also exhibited the knowledge and skills that quite naturally led her
into the field of public health. She seemed to know everyone in the County,
and treated each of them with a special mix of compassion and respect that
always helped put them at ease, even in frightening and potentially embarrassing
situations. She also never lost her composure. Coworkers still remember the
calm and deliberate manner with which she dealt with tragedies and emergencies
that occurred in the workplace. Her serene and empathetic kindness helped to
soothe the entire staff, while her unwavering dedication to keeping the clinic
running demonstrated the kind of steady leadership qualities she would one day
need as a local public health director.
Jackie Brown has been a terrific leader, mentor, friend and defender of public
health in Colorado. As she moves on to a new position outside of local public
health, we want to honor the energy, passion and service she provided to public
health and to the communities of southeastern Colorado. She has been a tireless
promoter of rural public health, while continually challenging her colleagues and
elected officials to work for the improvement of public health in all of Colorado.
We will miss her passion, her leadership and her ability to keep
a balance between being delightfully supportive of others while
strongly advocating for her own community, for rural public
health and for public health nursing.
John Muth Award
This award is given to a member of CPHA who has made an outstanding
contribution to the Association.
Erin Suelmann
Former CPHA Membership Chair
Erin has been an outstanding member of CPHA’s board as our Membership Chair.
Among her many accomplishments, Erin has:
• Launched our first active membership committee
• Implemented a new membership cycle and structure
• Developed a functional model for organizational memberships
• Developed our first member e-bulletins
• Organized several membership networking events and strengthened
relationships with our Alliance partners
Erin has made CPHA’s membership experience better, and we are a stronger
organization because of her leadership.
The Public Health Nurses Association
of Colorado is a specialty nursing
organization for more than 175
professional nurses committed to the
advancement of
public health nursing.
Most Innovative Project
Awarded to an innovative, outstanding and adaptable project developed or
implemented by a local public health agency in addressing a public health
issue(s) in the community.
Rebecca Persing
Jefferson County Public Health
The Jefferson County Public Health Nursing/Human Services Program was created
in 2009 as the result of a unique partnership between Public Health, Human
Services and community partners to address the issue of child maltreatment. An
innovative model of public health nurse home visitation was developed to improve
health and social outcomes in child welfare clients by addressing unobserved
barriers to self-sufficiency and optimal health frequently experienced by these
families. The model is based on research which indicates individuals living in
poverty often exhibit decision making skills that affect their ability to attain
goals. The program’s primary intervention is Public Health Nurses providing
education and support to clients in the use of effective decision-making skills.
The empirically-based BrainWise© program is used in this new approach to
teach clients how to replace impulsive and emotional reactions (Limbic System
of the Brain) with rational decision making (Executive Functions). Community
partnerships for program evaluation/research have been developed with major
universities (CSU and the University of Texas Arlington), a community non-profit
organization (BrainWise©), and Human Services. Outcome data from this
new approach supports continued use and ongoing evaluation of the model to
address child maltreatment.
Lillian Wald Award
Awarded to a public health nurse who demonstrates leadership skills among peers and
community, has practiced a minimum of five years, is creative, resourceful and innovative
in addressing public health concerns in the community, is caring in relationships with
colleagues and clients, initiates, implements and evaluates public health interventions
that focus on health promotion and disease prevention, shares public health knowledge
with colleagues and the community and is a member of PHNAC and CPHA.
Norma Patterson
Tri-County Health Department
Norma Patterson worked for CDPHE during her career. She came to Tri-County Health
Department to work in the Health Care Program for Children with Special Health Care
Needs and has put her whole heart into helping these children and their families. Norma
created a new pilot project in Adams County to strengthen supports available for
babies discharged from the NICU. She participates in multiple community collaborations.
Norma mentored and supported a younger nurse when she took on the role of HCP
Program Coordinator. When that nurse left, she
was considering retirement
but instead agreed to step into the Program
Coordinator role and has
done an amazing job strengthening
the program and the
relationships TCHD HCP has
within our communities.
New Public Health Nurse of the Year
This is awarded to a public health nurse with less than five years practice serving in a public
health capacity who has demonstrated the ability to establish community partnerships
that resulted in improved utilization of public health programs and/or services.
Jacqueline Davis
Teller County Public Health
Jacqueline Davis was hired all the way from New Jersey to case manage the Teller
County Chronic Disease grant and lost funding after 2 years. Jacque has a BSN
and a Masters in Counseling. With her hospital and health education background,
Jacque has jumped in to learn all of public health in the county. She has completed
Immunization competencies, assisted in the Title X family planning clinic, and has
served as Coordinator for Project Public Health Ready on our third try and we passed!
She was assigned to be IC for our first Drive Through Flu POD and completed that
event successfully in October 2010! She also co-chairs the Child Protective Team in
Teller County, serves as a Medical Reserve Corps volunteer and on the Community
Partnership of Teller County board. She says she loves public health and Teller County
and plans on staying here in the new home she is building. We hope she serves TCPH
as well for a long time! She is very worthy of the New Public Health Nurse Award!
PHNAC Award for Excellence
This award is to be presented to a public health nurse who has made outstanding
contributions in the field of public health and public health nursing over a period
of several years and has demonstrated exemplary leadership and service to
take public health nursing into the future. The nominee must be a leader, a
member of PHNAC, and may hold a leadership role in his / her agency.
Amy Wineland
Summit County Public Health
Amy Wineland has been a Summit County Public Health (SCPH) Nurse for twelve
years. She is an RN, with a MS, a ND and a CPNP. For the first 2 years Amy worked
for SCPH, she provided well child exams, service coordination for children with
special needs, and immunizations. Amy also participated in communicable disease
prevention, investigation and treatment. Amy received the PHNAC New Public Health
Nurse of the Year Award in 2002 for her good work. During these early years
Amy began working in the Nurse Family Program (NFP) as a nurse home visitor and
began the process to become the Supervisor of the Intermountain Nurse Home
Visitor Program. During the time that Amy has been the supervisor, the program
has expanded twice from its 4 county base (Summit, Lake, Clear Creek, Gilpin) to
its current 6 county configuration which includes Fairplay (Park County) and Chaffee.
As the supervisor of the Intermountain NFP, Amy has been very successful in
providing guidance and support to her staff as they interface with some of the most
difficult clients. She has used the principles of motivational interviewing, coaching
and reflective practice while modeling therapeutic relationships, change theory, selfefficacy, and client centered, strength based and solution focused approaches.
Amy has been so good at her relationship building with her staff that they nominated
Amy for the 2011 President’s Award for Nurse Family Partnership Supervisor of the
year. Amy was selected to receive this award from a pool of nine finalists from
across the country. Pretty darn good!
In 2011, Amy applied for and was promoted to the position of Assistant Director of
Summit County Public Health. In her application Amy says that she has a “passion
for providing education and building collaborative relationships with families, team
members and communities. “ In this first year Amy has done an outstanding job
moving in this direction. In addition Amy has supported both public health staff
and NFP staff as they all transitioned to her leadership. Amy has moved forward
with the 10 winnable battles and participated in the community health assessment.
Amy really showed her risk taking capabilities when she took the role as the Incident
Commander for our county-wide functional exercise that had a
public health focus. This really showed Amy’s interest in the total
public health package. Amy deserves the 2012 PHNAC Award for
Excellence for her wonderful accomplishments over the years and her
determination to take public health into the future.
President’s Recognition Award
The President’s Recognition Award is awarded to an individual or individuals
whose unique contribution(s) or achievement(s) significantly impact the Public
Health Nurses Association of Colorado. This Award has been given as a special
recognition by the President of PHNAC.
Dawn James
Kit Carson County Health and Human Services
Lauren Mitchell
Tri-County Health Department
Dawn James and Lauren Mitchell pursued their vision for public health nursing
through a Regional Institute for Health and Environmental Leadership (RIHEL)
project and made that plan a reality. Through their creativity, leadership, and
persistence the Public Health Nurse Practice Council (PHNPC) was born. In
2009, the Practice Council became an active branch of the Public Health Nursing
Association of Colorado. This council has established a mission of providing a
unified statewide representation of public health nursing practice within Colorado
and to endorse recognition of public health nursing as a specialty profession.
Lauren Mitchell and Dawn James represent the “cream of the crop” when it
comes to the nursing profession. Both possess advanced degrees and have
used their education extremely well in serving their communities. Public health
in Colorado has reaped enormous benefits because of the efforts of these two
public health nurses.
The Colorado Society for Public Health
Education is committed to excellence
in health education by providing
leadership to the profession and
advancing health education.
Excellence in Public Health Education Award
This is awarded to a practicing health educator who has portrayed outstanding
leadership in the profession and field of public health.
Karen O’Brien
Delta County Department of Health & Human Services
The 1998 BRFFS indicated that 37% of all Delta County residents smoked. The
2009-10 BRFFS survey indicates that the rate is now 18.8%. While Delta County
has had a STEPP grant since 2003, I would like to recognize Karen O’Brien
for her heroic efforts in policy development which culminated in the multiunit housing units of the Delta Housing Authority going smoke-free effective
September 1, 2011. Delta County doesn’t even having zoning, and for a staff
person to collaborate with community partners to bring such a major policy to
life deserves recognition. Karen has staffed the Tobacco Education program in
Delta County for nearly 4 years, and if a rural mid-sized county can accomplish
such a major policy change, it can happen anywhere. Her belief in what could
be and her willingness to move heaven and earth to accomplish it deserve to
be recognized.