District Board of Health Presents 2005 Public Health Hero Awards

Awards recognize individuals for extraordinary contributions to public health in our community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 24, 2005

(Las Vegas, Nev., – March 24, 2005) – Public Health Hero awards are presented each year as a prelude to National Public Health Week (April 4 – 10, 2005) to honor individuals whose extraordinary contributions protect and promote public health in our community.

The following individuals were recognized today with Public Health Hero awards at the Clark County District Board of Health meeting:

Mr. Brad Burns, Centex Homes
Mr. Burns donated personal funding to build a 1,200 square foot health academy building at Martinez Elementary School, attended by a number of students from disadvantaged families. Mr. Burns has also donated to the school’s Clinic on Wheels and Miles for Smiles programs, and has pledged to build a second health academy at a soon-to-be-announced local campus.

Mr. John Monzo, “The Center”
Mr. Monzo has volunteered on a full-time basis in support of HIV and AIDS related outreach in Las Vegas, following a distinguished public health career in Chicago. His tireless devotion to public health has connected people with information, counseling, assistance and treatment for more than a decade.

Mr. Jim Shadrick, City of Las Vegas Neighborhood Services Department
Mr. Shadrick has been instrumental in overcoming obstacles in code enforcement issues that impact public health. Through accomplishments such as developing the Community Multi-Agency Response Team (C-MART), Mr. Shadrick has enabled the health district to mitigate code-related public health concerns falling under the direct jurisdiction of other government agencies.

“Again this year, we received many outstanding nominations from health district staff,” said Dr. Donald Kwalick, chief health officer for the district. “Our Public Health Hero award winners represent the best of the best, and we are fortunate to have them as members of and contributors to our community,” said Kwalick.

Public health week will conclude with a community fitness walk Friday, April 8, 2005, inside the Boulevard Mall. Registration begins at 7:00 a.m. The walk begins at 7:30 a.m. The public is encouraged to attend. The first 100 registered walkers will receive a health district logo pedometer and sport water bottle.

For more information on Public Health Week activities, contact the health district Public Information Office at (702) 383-5015, or visit the district website at 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.