MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Health Department honored its Partners in Public Health at a breakfast this morning at the health department.
Dennis Murray, health commissioner, said that in 1995 former President Clinton proclaimed the first full week in April as National Public Health Week and, since then, the public health community has focused during that week on issues regarding the improvement of the public’s health and safety.
He said the awards, shaped like puzzle pieces and bearing the inscription “Essential Piece,” were in recognition and observance of the partners’ contribution to the health department’s programs and services that make Knox County a healthier and safer place to live.
Murray presented the Mount Vernon News with an award, accepted by Cheryl Splain, the News’ managing editor.
He said, “One of the things that is important to us, especially in a small community, is to make a connection with the local media ... to get our message out there. Since 1998 they have regularly covered the board of health meetings.”
Director of Nursing Jackie Fletcher presented Robin Strayer, director of the Centerburg Senior Center, with an award on behalf of the center.
Fletcher told the audience about Strayer’s work, including starting a food pantry and meal delivery program and helping secure nonprofit status for the center. She said the meal delivery program began with eight customers and now serves 50 each day.
Fletcher said, “It’s more than a nutritious meal. It’s daily contact. Sometimes the only person these people see all day long is the person who delivers the meal. That is near and dear to Robin’s heart.”
Fletcher said Strayer is working on a Web site for the center and her goal for 2008 is to start a shopping program.
She added, “If I know Robin, that will come to fruition.”
The Knox County Prosecutor’s Office, represented by assistant prosecutor Rob Broeren, was presented an award by Brian Benick, Knox County’s environmental health director.
Benick explained that the prosecutor’s office is the legal counsel for the health department, handling legal cases and contracts.
He said, “Other health departments don’t get a lot of support from their prosecutors’ offices. John Thatcher and his staff do a good job.”
To Broeren, he said, “You guys are our teeth. Without you guys, I’m on a liquid diet. John Thatcher is a very dedicated and hard-working man. And I know Rob actually enjoys working on our behalf. We have a good working relationship with John and his staff.”
Marty Trese of WMVO Radio accepted an award, presented by Murray, for hosting a morning radio program called AM Knox County on the first Thursday morning of each month. He said the program has been beneficial in promoting health department programs and public health issues, and thanked Trese for being active in promoting public health through radio public service announcements and other means.
L. Chad McGinty of the Ohio State Highway Patrol accepted an award from Pam Palm, health promotions director. Palm told the audience that she had learned through her work that public safety and traffic safety go hand-in-hand. She said the OSHP promotes both through education, including seat belt safety, the Safety Town program for kindergartners, DWI awareness, and demonstration sobriety tests at the Knox County Fair and the Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival.
McGinty thanked the community for the partnerships he has made during his assignment to the Knox County area.
The Community Health Access Project in Danville, represented by director Nancy Holtrey, received an award from Murray for partnering with the health department by referring families for WIC, childhood immunizations, its dental clinic, the Put It Out For Good stop-smoking program and the Childhood Obesity grant.
Murray said to Holtrey, “CHAP has become a vital partner of our community, especially in eastern Knox County. We thank you so much for the partnership that has allowed us to serve the families of Knox County.”
