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For Immediate Release
October 3, 2003
Contact: Jim Dale, DVM, MPH, CPHA President
(303) 271-5718
Winners of Colorado Public Health Association Awards
Announced
The winners of this year’s Colorado Public Health Association Awards are as varied as the disciplines within public health: health educator, public health nurse, commissioner, legislator, professor, director, clinic manager, environmental health manager. All from different regions within Colorado and all sharing a commitment to preventing injury and disease and improving health for everyone in Colorado. The Colorado Public Health Association (CPHA), Public Health Nurses Association of Colorado (PHNAC), Colorado Minority Health Forum (CMHF), Colorado Society of Public Health Education (COSOPHE) are pleased to work with and to recognize these public health professionals for the following awards:
Roy L Cleere Distinguished Service Award awarded to Mark Estock, Bioterrorism Section Chief Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, for his outstanding contribution to public health in Colorado). Mark Estock was awarded for his leadership and coordination role he has taken in developing preparedness plans in the event of a bioterrorism attack. We learned just how important this role is on September 11, 2001. Estock leadership has been impressive despite multiple challenges and obstacles.
P W Jacoe Memorial Award awarded to Jeff Zayack, Division Manager Environmental Health, Boulder County Department of Public Health for his outstanding contributions in the field of physical sciences. Jeff is recognized for high level performance in every position and task he takes on. His ability to embrace complexity and enthusiastically manage change have been the attributes which make him a valuable contributor to the growth and development of the Boulder County Department of Public Health and to the success of a number of innovative projects. Jeff provides leadership in virtually every activity he undertakes.
Legislative Excellence Award awarded to The Honorable Dale Hall, Colorado House of Representatives: District 48 for efforts within the state in support of public health issues. Representative Hall was the key sponsor of House Bill 1351, concerning an increase in the annual license fee for retail food establishments. He sponsored this somewhat contentious Bill and shepherded it through the general assembly. Without his strong support and tenacity the Bill would not have survived. House Bill 1351 provided for a 40% increase in restaurant license fees with $5 going to the State.
John Muth Award awarded to Jeannie Nicholson, County Commissioner, Gilpin County for her outstanding contribution to the Colorado Public Health Association (CPHA). Commissioner Nicholson is a perfect example of someone who has contributed significantly to the strength and integrity of CPHA. She has been a member of CPHA since becoming a public health nurse in Gilpin County during the 1980's. She served as chair of the Nursing Section in 1993 and led the centennial year Colorado Public Health Nursing Quilt Project and celebration. She was the 1994 Lillian Wald Award recipient for outstanding leadership and service. In 1995 she received the CHAMP Award. She has served on the CPHA Board and was president from 2000-2001. As a newly elected County Commissioner, she is using her public health knowledge and skills to set evidence-based, state-of-the art public health policy in Gilpin County.
Dr. Virgillio Licona Award awarded to Julissa Molina Soto for her outstanding contributions in health to racially and ethnically diverse communities and in recognition of the passion, leadership and perseverance of Dr. Virgilio Licona. Prior to her current position as a Multicultural Programs Manager, Ms. Soto was the Outreach Coordinator for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Julissa has extensive experience in reaching out to and assisting the multicultural community in Colorado. She has created awareness in various settings such as churches, community centers and healthcare providers throughout Metro Denver and Northern Colorado. She has contributed her efforts to an unimaginable level of dedication and success in the Latino community. She is currently a participant in the New Ventures in Leadership program sponsored by the American Society on Aging which encourages and trains ethnic minority practitioners working within ethnic communities throughout the country.
Lillian Wald Award awarded to Dr. Judith Barton, Professor, School of Nursing University of Colorado Health Science Center for her leadership skills as a public health nurse among peers and community. Dr. Barton has given a lifetime of education and service to public health nurses. She was instrumental in a successful $700,000 HRSA grant to fund a 3-year educational program through Web-based learning in Colorado and Wyoming to address the preparation of practicing public health nurses. As part of the evaluation of this project, a statewide assessment of public health workforce competencies was conducted in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. A tenured Associate Professor, she has taught public health nursing courses at the baccalaureate, Nursing doctorate, and Masters levels at the Health Science's Center for about 16 years. Prior to this time, she taught public health nursing at Loretto Heights. Dr. Barton has been the lead faculty member for the community analysis projects which has served at least 20 communities in Colorado by partnering with them to conduct comprehensive community needs assessments. The findings of these assessments have been published and presented nationally and locally. They have served as a basis for program development to improve the health of citizens.
Lifetime Achievement Award awarded to Patricia Barnett, Public Health Nursing Director
Chaffee County Public Health Nursing Service in recognition of her lifetime contributions to the field.
After 30 years at Steamboat Springs, where Pat was the director of the Northwest VNA she moved to New Mexico. Pat spent 7 years in Farmington, NM as District Nursing Service Supervisor where she coordinated Indian Health Services and National Public Health. She was an integral part of the team that coordinated the administration of mass immunizations to halt the spread of meningitis in northwest New Mexico. She became Nursing Director for Chaffee County Public Health Nursing Service about 3 years ago. During her tenure in Colorado she has contributed her leadership to CPHA, PHNAC, and on state-wide committees. Although retiring she has requested to continue to work part time with emergency preparedness.
Excellence in Public Health Education Award awarded to Donna Viverette Jurickovich, Health Education Program Coordinator, Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment for excellence in public health education. Donna has developed and implemented numerous innovative programs focusing on various adolescent issues, healthy eating, HIV prevention, and community capacity building. She is an acknowledged leader and expert in tobacco prevention, education, and cessation. Donna's greatest achievement is that she is a constant fighter for public health education and never loses sight of public health's mission.
Community Health Action Motivated Person Award (CHAMP) awarded to Jeanne Erly, Administrative Coordinator, Jefferson Co. Dept. of Health and Environment for her professional service in working with the public and fellow employees and her outstanding contribution to public health. Jeanne has been an employee of JCDHE for 25 years where she has shown leadership in customer service, organization and interpersonal relationships. She coordinates the volunteer and community workers and serves as site manager for the Lakewood office. She has been an employee of the month three times for services to the Jefferson County health department. In 1977 she received a Jefferson County Outstanding Customer Service Award.
Emerging Leader in Public Health Award awarded to Wendy Griffin, PHN Consultant, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for her demonstration of outstanding initiative outstanding initiative on behalf of the Colorado public health community. In her first year with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Wendy developed an informal medical advisory team and provided technical services to the communicable disease, bioterrorism and immunization programs, CCIC, and Tri-County Health Department. She has chaired the CCIC Clinical Practices Committee, volunteered for the smallpox vaccination project and is a member of the epidemiologic response team. She has increased from 2 to 17 the number of hospitals with a universal birth dose policy for hepatitis B.
Sabin Award awarded to Kathy Kennedy, Director, Regional Institute for Public Health and Environment
for her achievement in the field of public health and in recognition of the outstanding leadership of Dr. Florence Sabin. With the Regional Institute, Kathy has guided the organization, organized the faculty, and successfully recruited scholar classes since 1999. It is estimated that well over 200 students have gained from the year- long scholar program. These students are given the inspiration and the tools to make a real difference in their organizations and in their communities. The program has also focused on an annual class that is balanced with the private sector as well as local, state and federal scholars. Kathy is a well-respected researcher and works with the World Health Organization on maternal child issues. She teaches at the Health Sciences Center and has been on the faculty of the University of Denver.
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