Press Release
Public Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kittitas County Public Health Champion Recipients Announced

Kittitas County, WA - 05/26/2023 - The Kittitas County Board of Health Advisory Committee (BOHAC) is pleased to announce that the Kittitas County Fire Protection District #6 will be awarded the 2023 annual Kittitas County Public Health Champion Award. The award is in recognition of their work to care for some of the most vulnerable people in our community and their goal of understanding people wholistically and addressing all their needs. The award will be presented during the Kittitas County Board of Health meeting on Thursday, June 15th, 2023, at 10:00 am. The meeting is open to the public.

The award comes with a $500 donation to be used to benefit the health of the community.  BOHAC recognizes Kittitas County Fire Protection District #6 as a community partner providing “boots on the ground” for so many people in the community and providing them with a lifeline to access services, which improve the quality of their life.
 
The Kittitas County Public Health Champion Award recognizes individuals, groups, or organizations that make significant contributions to the health of Kittitas County. The award is funded by a generous donation from former Kittitas County Health Officer Jim Gale. The following individuals and agencies received previous Public Health Champion Awards:

• 2015 City of Ellensburg Parks and Recreation for noteworthy work regarding the breadth of programming for residents across the lifespan.
• 2016 Dr. Paul Schmitt for his years of service as a health care provider and his dedication to the health of his community.
• 2017 Kittitas County Early Learning Coalition for the coalition’s work to improve the health and success of young children and their families.
• 2018 Open Door Health Clinic for the clinic’s mission to provide basic medical care for people living on low incomes without insurance or readily accessible healthcare.
• 2019 APOYO in recognition of their work to provide food, recycled clothing, and furniture to the community.
• 2020 Rolf Williams and 2021 COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic (recognized in 2021 due to COVID-19) for their work and commitment to Kittitas County and the community.
• 2022 Kittitas County Health Network (KCHN) Care Coordination Program for their work to connect vulnerable people with health and other social services.

 
BOHAC received nine nominations this year for the Public Health Champion Award and would also like to recognize those who were nominated for their efforts in our community.  The following nominations were submitted to BOHAC:

• Alison’s Cleaning Service
• Central Washington Disability Resources
• Community Health of Central Washington
• Connect Team
• Kim Grant
• Kittitas County Jail
• Northwest Expressive Arts
• Open Door Clinic

 
The mission of BOHAC is to provide advisory feedback and formal recommendations, to both the Board of Health and the Public Health Department of Kittitas County, related to policy, funding, initiatives, and emergent needs, in support of the goals and mission of the Kittitas County Public Health Department.  If you are interested in donating to the Annual Kittitas County Public Health Champion Award fund, please contact Heather Burfeind, BOHAC Treasurer, at heatherswimburfeind@gmail.com.
 
For more information regarding BOHAC or the Public Health Champion Award, please contact the Kittitas County Public Health Department at (509) 962-7515.
 
 

• 2022 Public Health Champion Award nomination form.pdf

Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us

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Contact: Kasey Knutson, Public Information Officer, 509-962-7515