The county’s Health and Human Services Agency has honored 14 exemplary individuals and organizations as Public Health Champions for their unwavering dedication to safeguarding the health of diverse communities throughout the county.
Established in 2001, this award aims to highlight collaborative efforts between public and private sectors that promote wellness and health improvement across the region.
Since its inception, nearly 500 Public Health Champions have been recognized from a pool of nominations as part of the annual National Public Health Week observance, which emphasizes the importance of enhancing overall public health in local communities.
This year’s theme, ‘It Starts Here,’ is a message from the American Public Health Association that encourages everyone to play a role in fostering healthier lives within their communities.
The champions were awarded across five categories, including Public Health Services Awards for both individuals and organizations as well as regional awards to recognize local efforts.
Among the Public Health Services Award recipients is Veronica Whitehorse.
As a dedicated registered nurse, she focuses on disease prevention and overall community wellness, particularly within the local American Indian and Alaska Native populations, ensuring that their medical needs are met and their cultural values are respected.
Another notable awardee is Dr. Antoinette Marengo, a physician who serves as chair-elect for the American College of OBGYNs.
Her work is centered on advocating for health equity and providing accessible reproductive health care to women in the San Diego, Riverside, and Imperial counties, including services at the Navy Medical Center San Diego.
The Defense Health Agency Immunization Healthcare Division, Pacific Region Team was also recognized for its significant contribution, administering over 20,000 vaccines monthly across more than 40 military immunization clinics in San Diego, extending support to military-related immunization needs throughout California and even as far as Japan.
April Fernandez, a public health manager with three decades of experience, received recognition for her work focused on Binational Border Health at the California Department of Public Health.
She plays a crucial role in fostering cross-border health initiatives, connecting public health agencies, nonprofits, and local communities to tackle health challenges faced by border populations.
Sarah St. John, a dental hygienist and the founder of All Smiles, received accolades for her innovative portable dental hygiene service, which delivers preventative dental care to underserved populations such as military spouses and the homeless community.
Furthermore, Amy Abrams, representing Aging and Independence Services, co-founded a home health agency aimed at supporting individuals with chronic conditions and their caregivers.
Her initiatives include establishing a Memory Café for people with dementia and collaborating with 911 dispatch, hospitals, and local care facilities to improve procedures that reduce unnecessary emergency room visits among older adults, particularly those with cognitive impairments.
The awards also included regional recognitions, with Gabriela “Gaby” Beas Love being honored for her efforts in assisting vulnerable communities in gaining access to higher education at MiraCosta College in North Coastal San Diego.
The nonprofit Backcountry Communities Thriving won the North Inland award for their initiatives that provide essential services like food pantries and CPR training to San Diego’s unincorporated and rural communities, establishing the Rural Roundtable to unite various community groups.
In East County, David R. Shorey was recognized for his advocacy in environmental justice and human rights, mobilizing diverse groups to combat substance use and representing the LGBTQ community on the county Sheriff’s Office Advisory Council.
The North Central award was given to the San Diego Military Family Collaborative, which fortifies support networks within the military community through partnerships with over 200 public, private, faith-based, military, and governmental organizations.
In South County, Karen Clay was recognized for founding a food recovery nonprofit which has salvaged and distributed over 3.8 million pounds of food, providing more than 111,000 meals to those in need since its inception in 2020.
Central San Diego’s Fern Street Community Arts received accolades for using collaborative art to instigate social change and build community cohesion.
Additionally, the Director’s Award was presented to Sharia’s Closet, a San Diego nonprofit that has supplied free emergency clothing and hygiene products to nearly 50,000 individuals since 2013.
The Foundation for Senior Care, based in Fallbrook, also received recognition for their commitment to enhancing the quality of life for older adults and individuals with disabilities, including providing 5,000 rides through their transportation program.
The recognition of these Public Health Champions showcases the significant impact of various initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes across the county.
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