“And the winners are…”
In order to encourage a healthy Guilford County and honor those who contribute to that goal, the Public Health Division of the Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services, along with the American Heart Association, sponsored a 2018 Community Partner Recognition Awards ceremony, which was a lot like the Academy Awards of public health partners – albeit without the glitz and glamour, television broadcast, golden statuettes, star power, musical guests or bags of expensive swag.
The winners were honored at a breakfast awards ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 13 at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex.
Guilford County Health Director Merle Green said she was grateful for the help of the winners and for the way in which they’ve shored up health care in the community.
The winners were dentists, Dr. Bruce Burns and Dr. James Kaley, the Cone Health Foundation, the Foundation for a Healthy High Point, Guilford Child Development, Mount Zion Baptist Church and Triad Adult and Pediatric Medicine,
Green said that Burns and Kaley, for years have helped provide dental care for those who couldn’t afford it. More than 10 years ago, the team volunteered to take over treatment for patients of an orthodontic practice that had to be permanently closed.
According to a statement from the Health Division, the two dentists “have continued to selflessly volunteer their day to provide orthodontic treatment at our Chandler Dental Clinic.”
Cone Health Foundation was honored for several funding initiatives that aid in the areas of health care access, mental health promotion, adolescent pregnancy prevention, HIV prevention and substance abuse treatment.
The Foundation for a Healthy High Point was honored for its Healthy Beginnings Initiative and for funding several programs like Guilford County Connects and the JustTEENS Clinic in High Point.
Guilford Child Development was recognized for working with Guilford County to provide care to residents through the Early Head Start and Nurse Family Partnership programs, the Care Coordination for Children effort, Pregnancy Care Management, School Health Nursing, Child Care Nursing and Guilford Family Connects.
As for Mount Zion Baptist Church, the only church in the group, a summary of its work from the county’s Health Division states, “For the past two years, Mount Zion Baptist Church has graciously partnered with Public Health to help address and reduce the rates of prediabetes among the minority community in Guilford County. Mount Zion’s doors and staff are open to any screened and qualified resident who wishes to participate in this program at their church. We are proud that Mount Zion has chosen to partner with Public Health to enhance the health of our residents in Guilford County.”
Triad Adult and Pediatric Medicine was honored for providing services through preventative and acute care clinics in the county. Many of the Guilford County health programs make and receive referrals to the group so that children and families receive the necessary medical treatment.
In addition to those awards, at the ceremony, the American Heart Association recognized Cone Health, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Novant Health and Hampton Family Community Health Initiative, AHA Mobile Teaching Kitchen for their contributions to heart health in Guilford County.
