PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County Public Health has announced its 2025 Public Health Heroes in celebration of National Public Health Week.
The awards honor people and organizations, nominated by the public, whose contributions play a vital role in creating a healthier and more resilient community for all.
“It Starts Here” is the theme for National Public Health Week, which is April 7-13.
The following individuals and organizations are being honored as public health heroes:
• Denise Banker for her commitment to ensuring that public health programs remain equitable and accessible, benefiting individuals and families across Jefferson County.
• ECHHO staff and volunteers for providing no-cost durable medical equipment and transportation to medical appointments and other essential services for those 60 and older, or those who cannot get themselves to appointments due to disability.
• Carter Erickson for exemplifying the qualities of a dedicated public servant with compassion and navigating the challenges of an on-site septic system.
• Linda Ferris and Gatheringplace for teaching important life and personal development skills, and promoting opportunity and community integration for adults with developmental and other disabilities.
• Jessica Garcia and Holly McIlvaine for providing individual and group social, emotional and behavioral counseling, case management, academic coaching and referrals for students impacted by substance use and/or other behavioral/mental health issues.
• A.J. Hawkins for their work to increase understanding of the effect grief can have on physical health.
• Mary Hunt for bringing together farmers and gardeners who donate crops to Jefferson County food banks to feed our local community.
• Rae Kala for providing a source of physical fitness, social connection and mental well-being.
• Kimberley Kinser for her leadership in establishing a program providing optimal care to acutely ill and injured patients, as well as offering assistance to individuals and families facing challenges, including health, behavioral and financial crises and support for elders in rural areas.
• Mazure Pace for their positive energy in effectively explaining public health services to those who need them most, making them feel comfortable and eager to engage.
• Salish Coast Elementary School’s farm-to-school team for producing and feeding thousands of pounds of fresh nutritionally dense fruits and vegetables grown and prepared on the school campus to children each year.
• Sam Touchie for their commitment to advocate for youth with disabilities, endeavoring to provide them with skills such as communication, time management, problem-solving and self-advocacy, necessary to thrive in the workforce.
The Public Health Hero awards will be presented at 2:30 p.m. April 17 during a meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health in the commissioners’ chambers at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.
For more information, visit: www.jeffersoncountypublic health.org or www.nphw.org.
