News and Alerts
Posted: April 9, 2008
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Mary Maddux-González, MD, MPH
Public Health Officer
707-565-4401
Community Celebrates Public Health Week and Accomplishments of Local Champions
Public Health Week is celebrated nationally each year to inform the community about the vital ways in which individuals and organizations can protect and promote the health of the public. This year's theme is Climate Change: Our Health in the Balance.
In Sonoma County, the celebration for Public Health Week (April 7 - 13th) includes the recognition of local Public Health Champions, who have been selected on the basis of their innovation, creativity, and impact on the community. A committee of Department of Health Services staff reviews the nominations solicited from the community, then selects individuals and organizations as local Public Health Champions based on their extraordinary achievements and contributions in one of several categories. Dr. Maddux-González, Health Officer for Sonoma County and Director of the Public Health Division noted, "We are very fortunate to have so many talented and committed members of the community doing this important work to improve community health."
This year's champions will be recognized by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors at the April 8th Board meeting with reception to follow at Health Department at 625 5th Street in Santa Rosa. The important accomplishments of this year's champions include:
Ensuring the Quality and Accessibility of Health Services
Terese Voge for tireless advocacy to improve children's access to mental health services through her leadership of the Children's Mental Health Partnership.
Helping Communities Prepare for and Respond to Disasters
udith Goodin for leadership and participation in disaster preparedness with a focus on best practices for hospital settings.
Preventing Epidemics and Reducing the Impact of Disease
Cheryl Willett, DDS and Marie Ibanez for leadership and advocacy work in the prevention of dental caries and helping hundreds of low-income children access needed dental treatment.
Preventing Injuries
Tim Gonzalez and Tom Maunder for their outstanding leadership in promoting bicycle safety throughout the county.
Promoting Healthy Environments
David Rosas for advocacy in the Roseland community to promote a healthy environment where children and families can enjoy physical activity outdoors.
A special edition of the Public Health Annual Report 2007 (pdf) will be released today highlighting the work of the champions and many other projects in the community targeting specific public health issues and solutions. A full copy of the report is available at www.sonoma-county.org/publichealth
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