Michigan Public Health Week Celebrates Local Heroes and Champions
Through the celebration of Public Health Week in Michigan, MDCH and the other organizations in the Michigan Public Health Week Partnership raise awareness of the importance of public health and recognize the many contributions of state and local governments, community-based agencies and partnerships, universities and health associations that make the health and well-being of the people of Michigan a priority each and every day.
This is accomplished primarily through the Hometown Health Hero and Health Policy Champion award programs. The Michigan Public Health Week Partnership sponsors these annual awards to highlight the great accomplishments of individuals and organizations in Michigan based on the theme for National Public Health Week. The theme for 2012 is "A healthier America begins today: Join the movement."
These awards are presented annually at the Michigan Public Health Week event at the Capitol in Lansing. This year's event is April 25, 2012, from 11:30 am - noon.
The Health Policy Champion award recognizes public officials and other individuals and organizations at the state and local level who work to maintain and improve the health of their local communities and the citizens of Michigan in areas that impact public health policy.
The Hometown Health Hero Award recognizes individuals and organizations across the state that go above and beyond their normal work to maintain and improve the health of their local communities.
The 2012 Health Policy Champions:
- Laura Fitzpatrick - Liquor Control Advisory Rules Committee
- Denise Holmes - Retired public health leader; formerly with MSU and MDCH
- Meijer Healthy Living Team - Meijer, Inc.
- Susan Smolinske - Children's Hospital of Michigan Regional Poison Control Center
- Kenneth E. Warner - Avedis Donabedian Distinguished University Professor of Public Health at the University of Michigan School of Public Health
- Jessica Yorko - Environmental Justice Coordinator, Ingham County Health Department
- Representative Lesia Liss of the 28th District
- Representative Matt Lori of the 59th District
- Senator Jim Marleau of the 12th District
- Senator Rebekah Warren of the 18th District
The 2012 Hometown Health Heroes:
- Marsialle Arbuckle - Center for Urban Youth and Family Development, Detroit
- Vision Priority Team 6 - MDCH Laboratory, Lansing
- Karyn Juntunen - Winter sports exercise program developer, Hancock
- Kevin and Tammy Epling - Anti-bullying leaders, East Lansing
- Belinda Thurston - Just B Yoga, Lansing
- Livingston County Community Alliance, Livingston county
- Cathy Goike - Girls on the Run program, Alpena
- Sushma Reddy, MD - "Walk for Summer Reading" program, St. Clair county
- Girls Group, Inc. - Ann Arbor
- Cheryl Griffin -Lifestyle Counselor, Manistee, Lake, Wexford, and Newaygo counties
- Deb Hardcastle - "Safe Sleep for Infants" program, Washtenaw county
- Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program, Ottawa and Allegan counties
- Ann Siegle - Capital Area Breastfeeding Coalition, Lansing
The Michigan Public Health Week Partnership consists of the following organizations: the Michigan Association of Counties, the Michigan Association for Local Public Health, the Michigan Department of Community Health, the Michigan Public Health Association, the Michigan Public Health Institute, Michigan State University, the University of Michigan School of Public Health, and Wayne State University.
Questions should be directed to Jim Koval in the Office of Public Health Preparedness at kovalj@michigan.gov or 517-335-8150.
