Washington County’s Public Health Week Culminates with Awards Ceremony

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, April 02, 2014

National Public Health Week is April 7-13. On Friday, April 11, Washington County Department of Health and Human Services will present the 12th Annual Public Health Recognition Awards.

The event is open to the public and takes place at 1 p.m. in the Public Services Building auditorium, located at 155 North First Avenue in Hillsboro. A reception will follow.

• The Public Health Ambassador Award recognizes an individual who has raised awareness of public health issues, developed projects with a lasting impact, and/or influenced systems or policy changes. Kaely Summers will be honored for building a culture of wellness for "Nourish the Community" participants, Adelante Mujeres staff and volunteers, and the broader Washington County community.
  
  
• The Partner in Public Health Award recognizes an organization/business that has developed innovative public health programs that positively affect its employees and/or the community at-large. Sonrise Church will be honored for their comprehensive programs designed to improve the emotional and physical well-being of Washington County's most vulnerable residents.
  
  
• The Emerging Public Health Leader Award recognizes a youth or youth-related group who promotes healthy communities and making healthy lifestyle choices. Sierra Studnick will be honored for her strong public health leadership on the Pacific University campus and civic engagement in the Forest Grove community.
  
  
• The Washington County Employee Award recognizes an exemplary Washington County staff member who has gone above and beyond his or her regular work responsibilities to make a difference in public health. Field Team Nursing Supervisor Sue Omel will be honored for years of dedicated service as an outstanding public health advocate, ambassador, leader and program innovator.
  

At 2 p.m., Washington County’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Shelley Oylear will lead a brief walk around the neighborhood to discuss the impact the built environment has on our health.

Additionally, Washington County Public Health has planned the following events and activities at the Public Services Building in Hillsboro.

• On Monday, April 7, staff from environmental health will conduct “glo-germ” demonstrations and other food safety activities to show the most effective ways to prevent foodborne illness. Activity takes place from 11:30-1:00 in the courtyard.
• On Wednesday, April 9, Washington County Nurse Practitioner Beth Doyle will give a presentation on her recent trip to Liberia. Ms. Doyle taught at a women’s conference there in February, where she focused on general hygiene (in a country with no power grid, municipal water system or formal sanitation system), family planning, pregnancy complications and menopause. Brown-bag lunch presentation takes place from 12-1 p.m. in the auditorium.
• On Thursday, April 10, OSU Extension Master Gardener™ volunteers will be on hand from 11:30-1:00 in the courtyard to answer gardening questions and to share information on sustainable gardening practices. Literature on gardening and composting will be available, and attendees can pick up free organic lettuce seeds.
  

For more information, contact Wendy Gordon at 503-846-3634.

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