Public Health Awards 2010

For Immediate Release: Friday, April 02, 2010

Washington County Department of Health and Human Services announced today the winners of the Annual Public Health Awards for 2010. They are, in the Organization category, Adelante Agricultura, a program that increases opportunities for tomorrow's farmers through training, mentoring and access to land, and Hillsboro School District Nurse Michelle Brady in the Individual category.

The awards will be presented to the winners at a special ceremony on Wednesday, April 7, at 10:00 a.m. in the Huffman Auditorium of the Cameron Public Services Building, 155 N. First Avenue in Hillsboro, to which the public is invited.

Adelante Agricultura is a project of Forest Grove-based Adelante Mujeres. In 2009, Adelante Agricultura received a U.S.D.A. grant of $300,000 to develop programs for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Interested persons can sub-lease ½ acre plots of land at a minimal cost and then learn how to produce organically grown fresh fruits and vegetables. Besides providing these commodities to the community, the program teaches sustainability as well as offers practical tools to potential farmers of Washington County.

When the H1N1 vaccine arrived in Washington County, Hillsboro School District nurse Michelle Brady went to work as the liaison between Washington County Public Health and the Hillsboro School District. She helped organize mass vaccination clinics that were based in schools and facilitated the efforts of dozens of student and community volunteers who helped run them. She was seen as a model liaison between the District, County and law enforcement as the clinics were rolled out. Her co-workers commended her skills in advance planning, coordination and follow through.

Says Kathleen O'Leary, Public Health Administrator for Washington County, "We are pleased to honor organizations and individuals who have led the way improving health in our communities."

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