Washington County celebrates local achievements, contributions in 21st annual Public Health Awards

As a part of National Public Health Week from April 1-7, Washington County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Public Health Division honored significant contributions to public health that promote and support a culture of health and well-being in the county.

Last Friday, over 100 guests attended the 21st annual Public Health Recognition Awards to celebrate 2024’s honorees for the positive impact they left on local communities through their hard work.

This year's honorees are:

• Adelante Mujeres Promotora de Salud Lucia Benavides received the Public Health Ambassador Award. This award recognizes those in the community who raised awareness of public health issues, developed projects with a lasting impact, and/or influenced systems or policy changes. Whether she’s focused on nutrition education, supporting her team with organizing mobile clinics or just being there for others, Lucia’s dedication to making a difference in public health shines through her incredible work.
• Beaverton Resource Center received the Partner in Public Health Award. This award recognizes an organization/business that developed innovative public health programs that positively affect its employees and/or the community at large. In the last year alone, the Beaverton Resource Center served over 1,500 people through 16 health events that offered a variety of services, including but not limited to comprehensive eye exams, cancer screenings and dental cleanings.
• Pacific University’s Reproductive Justice Action Team (RJAT) received the Emerging Public Health Leader Award. This award recognizes a youth or youth-related group that promotes healthy communities and making healthy lifestyle choices. As a collective of students, staff and faculty at Pacific University, RJAT members plan and host community events to raise awareness of the importance of reproductive justice, highlighting how reproductive rights are intertwined with health equity through group partnerships on campus. (Pictured above.)
• Public Health Nurse Tessa Robinson, DNP, RN, received the Washington County Employee Award. The Washington County Employee Award recognizes an exemplary staff member who has gone above and beyond their regular work responsibilities to make a difference in public health. Not only has Tessa shown her commitment to inclusive, trauma-informed care to every client who crosses her path, she also advocates for sound policies informing HIV care and services for Washington County residents as a volunteer on the Portland TGA HIV Services Planning Council.

In addition to celebrating partners, organizations and staff for their efforts, the event was also a learning opportunity, giving guests a glimpse into public health work that often takes place behind the scenes. One such example was a spotlight on creating a modernized public health system for addressing health inequities while addressing emerging health issues and threats in the county.

“Through public health modernization, we’re focusing on building authentic relationships with community partners to better meet the needs of local communities,” said Community Partnerships Coordinator Genevieve Ellis, MPH. “Celebrations like these allow us to recognize others for their contributions, while giving people a chance to connect with and learn from partners about priority health issues and how we can better work together in addressing them.”

To that end, key staff encouraged the audience to put pen to paper, sharing their thoughts and perspectives through physical notes toward informing Washington County’s Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). Since CHIP shapes future data-informed collaborations between the County and local partners, getting the public’s input is key to better understanding local communities and meeting people where they are in improving public health for everyone. Read more about the CHIP.

Find all past Public Health Week Award honorees.