By Voice and Viewpoint Staff
San Diego County’s Health and Human Services Agency honored 12 individuals and organizations on April 5th at their 23rd Annual Public Health Champion Awards during National Public Health Week. The awards were created to honor the role of public/private collaborations that advance optimal health and wellness in the diverse populations of San Diego County. Those nominated and selected were recognized for their extraordinary achievements in San Diego County in areas of public health services that protect and promote the health of the local population.
County Board Chairwoman Nora Vargas, Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Interim Director Dr. Eric McDonald, and County Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., hosted the event, offering pertinent remarks.
“We have the mission of making the lives of 3.3 million San Diegans healthier, safer, and more self-sufficient, and we do that by giving direct services to over a million San Diegans, and we indirectly affect everyone here in the County,” said Dr. McDonald. “We know that the government can’t do this work alone, which is why our partners like you, and an opportunity like this is so important–because of the work we do together.”
The award categories included the Live Well San Diego Public Health Champion Awards for an individual, an organization, six HHSA regional awards, Independence Services, Medical Care Services and the HHSA Director’s Awards. The first event was held in 2002 and has expanded significantly over the years. Amongst the 12 recipients honored were Ms. Rosemary White-Pope, executive director of the George L. Stevens Senior Center who received the Independence Services award, and Tinesia Conwright, founder of DETOUR Empowers, a mentoring program for girls of color, who received an organizational award.
Joined by many family and friends, Ms. White-Pope shared, “I am humbled, honored, and in awe receiving such a prestigious award. I will continue to advocate for equity and inclusion for the minority elderly.”
The numerous honorees recognized weren’t the only ones surprised by the tremendous acknowledgments of their service to the County of San Diego. As a parting gift, Dr. Wooten was recognized as the event’s sole Director’s awardee for her decades of service.
“She’s had a profound dedication to addressing disparities and addressing health equity,” shared Dr. McDonald. Additionally, some of the awards will be named after her. “Under Dr. Wilma Wooten’s tenure, a total of 468 public health champions have been recognized over the 23 years we’ve been doing this, and I’m thrilled to announce from this time forward, the awards being given for the theme, individual, and organizational awards will be named the Dr. William J. Wooten awards,” shared Dr. McDonald.
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