Health District Names Public Health Heroes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 30, 2007

LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District today announced its annual Public Health Heroes, recognition given to individuals or organizations whose efforts positively affect the health and well-being of the community. This year’s winners will be honored at the April 26 Southern Nevada District Board of Health meeting.

The 2007 Public Health Heroes are:

Mary Jo Foreman, Sunrise Hospital
Mary Jo foreman was nominated for her work in identifying and reporting community acquired illnesses, even those not reportable to the State of Nevada. Her proactive reporting activities assist the health district in its efforts to identify illnesses and control outbreaks in the community. Foreman also served as chairperson of the Nevadans for Antibiotic Awareness Infection Control/Surveillance subcommittee. Her support of public health programs is an important asset to the health district and valuable service to the community.

Chris Moore and Theresa LeBlanc Moore, Valley Hospital
Chris Moore and Theresa LeBlanc Moore are a team nominated by the health district’s office of chronic disease prevention and promotion. Both are Valley Hospital nurses and are recognized for their volunteer work in diabetes education. They are Southern Nevada’s only master trainers for the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, which was developed by Stanford University in 1999. The Moores also serve as facilitators for the Adult Diabetes Education and Management Support Group, which meets monthly to share information and resources to help those with diabetes better manage their chronic illness. Recently, they created an online weekly podcast that features diabetes experts and information about diabetes management and control. The Moore’s personal and professional dedication to this issue makes them a vital public health resource and partner.

University Medical Center Information Services Department
University Medical Center’s earned the Public Health Heroes award for its work in the development of several health district systems. Nominated by the epidemiology department, UMC was noted as the first hospital in Clark County to provide specific data that allows the health district’s disease investigators to obtain near real-time information that provides a greater capacity to identify and track outbreaks in the community. In addition, the UMC Information Systems Department earned kudos as a pioneer in providing data to the health district on patterns of antibiotic resistance in Southern Nevada. The innovative efforts of this department make it an integral public health partner.

Public Health Heroes are nominated by health district staff members for their efforts in supporting one or more of the 10 Essential Public Health Services:

1. Monitor the health status to identify and solve community health problems.
2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community
3. Inform, educate and empower people about health issues.
4. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems.
5. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.
6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.
7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.
8. Assure competent public and personal health care workforce.
9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility and quality of personal and population-based health services.
10. Research for new insights and innovative solution to health problems.

For more information on Public Health Week activities call the health district public information office at (702) 759-1225 or visit the health district website www.SouthernNevadaHealthDistrict.org

Visit the Media Contacts webpage for media related inquiries.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.