2 weeks Ago
The county’s Health and Human Services Agency recognized 14 Public Health Champions for their outstanding efforts to protect the health of residents in diverse communities countywide. The award was created in 2001 to spotlight public/private collaborations that foster wellness throughout the county. Since then, nearly 500 Public Health Champions, including groups and individuals, have been picked from nominations as part of National Public Health Week, which focuses on improving overall public health.
This year’s theme is “It Starts Here,” developed by the American Public Health Association to raise awareness that everyone can make a difference in building healthier lives for themselves and the community. Here’s the lineup of Live Well San Diego Public Health Champion awards in five categories from Public Health Services Awards for individuals and organizations to regional awards. Public Health Services Awardees Veronica Whitehorse: Registered nurse committed to disease prevention and community wellness, works with the local American Indian and Alaska Native community, making sure patients receive medical attention and that their cultural traditions are valued.
Dr. Antoinette Marengo: Physician, chair-elect for the American College of OBGYNs and advocate for health equity who provides accessible, reproductive health care for women in San Diego, Riverside and Imperial counties, including at Navy Medical Center San Diego. Defense Health Agency Immunization Healthcare Division, Pacific Region Team: Provides more than 20,000 vaccines administered monthly at more than 40 military immunization clinics in San Diego and supports military-related immunization care throughout California and as far as Japan.
April Fernandez: Spent 30 years in public health management with a focus on Binational Border Health at the California Department of Public Health. Fosters cross-border health programs by connecting public health agencies, nonprofits, academia and local communities to address health challenges of border populations. Medical Care Services–Sarah St.
John: Dental hygienist and founder of All Smiles, a portable preventative dental hygiene service that goes to underserved communities, including military spouses and homelessness community members. Aging and Independence Services – Amy Abrams: Co-founded a home health agency to help people living with chronic conditions and their caregivers, started a Memory Café for folks with dementia and is working with 911 dispatch, hospitals and local care facilities on procedures to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits for older adults and those with cognitive impairments. Regional Awards North Coastal – Gabriela “Gaby” Beas Love: Helps vulnerable communities get access to higher education and is currently working at MiraCosta College.
North Inland – Backcountry Communities Thriving: Nonprofit builds partnerships to bring services, ranging from food pantries to CPR training and fentanyl awareness, to San Diego’s rural and unincorporated communities and established the Rural Roundtable to unite community-based groups. East County – David R. Shorey: Public health leader who has mobilized diverse groups to bring about environmental justice, human rights, and substance use prevention and serves on the LGBTQ Advisory Council for the county Sheriff’s Office.
North Central – San Diego Military Family Collaborative: Strengthens the military community through a support network of 200 public, private, faith-based, military, and governmental groups that provide resources. South County – Karen Clay: Started a food recovery nonprofit in 2020 that has recovered and distributed more than 3.8 million pounds of food and has prepared and delivered over 111,000 meals to community members in need.
Central San Diego – Fern Street Community Arts: Fosters social change and community through collaborative art. Director’s Award Sharia’s Closet: San Diego-based nonprofit that has provided free, emergency clothing and hygiene products to nearly 50,000 community members since 2013. Foundation for Senior Care: Fallbrook based nonprofit that looks after the physical and mental well-being of older adults and adults living with disabilities; for example providing 5,000 rides through its transportation program.
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