Washington County to Present 16th Annual Public Health Recognition Awards

For Immediate Release: Monday, March 26, 2018

National Public Health Week is April 2-8, 2018. Washington County Department of Health and Human Services will honor significant contributions to public health that promote and support a culture of health and well-being in Washington County.

The 16th annual Public Health Recognition Awards will be presented on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., in Room 103 of the Washington Street Conference Center, located on the first floor of the parking structure at 102 SW Washington Street in downtown Hillsboro.

“These awards are the perfect opportunity to showcase the many partners working together to make health and well-being a priority,” says Public Health Division Manager Tricia Mortell. “They remind us that we all can play a role in making Washington County a healthy community for everyone.”

This year's honorees:

• The Public Health Ambassador Award recognizes an individual, family or small group in the community who has raised awareness of public health issues, developed projects with a lasting impact, and/or influenced systems or policy changes. The award will be presented to Lisa Allen for leading the Hillsboro School District Board of Directors in creating a policy to allow their school-based health center to provide access to contraceptive services.

• 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. The award will be presented to the Hillsboro Water Department for creating the Community Lead Testing Program and offering free water testing to all of their residential, day care and nonprofit customers.

• The Emerging Public Health Leader Award recognizes a youth or youth-related group that promotes healthy communities and making healthy lifestyle choices. The award will be presented to Banks High School Fire Science Students for participating in a fire science curriculum provided by Banks Fire District #13. Juniors and seniors can earn college credit while learning rescue and medical responder practices, fire behavior and suppression techniques, first aid, CPR and more.

• For the first time since this award was introduced in 2014, the Washington County Employee Award will go to a County employee outside of Health and Human Services. The 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. This year’s recipient is Homeless Program Manager Annette Evans in Housing Services for working tirelessly to help our county’s most vulnerable community members obtain safe and affordable housing.

All are welcome at the ceremony and reception. No RSVPs are needed. For more information, contact Wendy Gordon at 503-846-3634 or [email protected].

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