PORT ANGELES — An advisory committee to the state Board of Health wants to honor those who strive to keep the community at its best.
The Public Health Advisory Committee in Clallam County has for three years honored people who work for public health, said Sean Gallaway, vice chairman of the committee, which is seeking nominations for this year’s awards.
“The people that we nominate and receive awards are part of the goal of being proactive,” Gallaway said.
“We want to recognize those positives in the community and encourage that type of contribution.
Gallaway, who works in health care management consulting in information technology, said he hopes to see more people inspired to work toward health because of the awards.
Public health is much more than treating or preventing infectious disease, said Port Angeles Fire Chief Dan McKeen, who is assisting the committee with the awards.
“But it includes a myriad things designed to improve public health,” he said.
“That includes healthy diets. It can involve smoking cessation programs, exercise programs and the ways that we built our communities.”
The winners in 2009 were:
• Individual — John Halberg, for his work with Port Angeles School District exercise and nutrition.
• Innovative — Krista Winn, for her work on the Save the Pool Committee.
• Lifetime — Arlene Engel.
• Group — Mount Angeles View Manor.
• Program — First Teacher.
To make a nomination for an award, send name and contact information, along with the category and the reason for the nomination to Public Health Advisory Committee, Attn: Patricia Richards, 223 E. Fourth St., Suite 14, Port Angeles, WA 98362, or e-mail prichards@co.clallam.wa.us.
Applications are available at www.clallam.net/HHS/PublicHealth/index.html.
For more information, phone Gallaway at 360-477-2982.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
