June 2, 2016 – On Tuesday, May 31st the Partnership for Better Health announced their 2016 Champions for Better Health Awards at a community celebration held at Dickinson College. The awards recognize distinguished community volunteers, health professionals, business leaders, philanthropists and youth whose efforts play a vital role in advancing the health and wellness of our region.
Jeff Gayman, Board Chair at the Partnership, welcomed the more than 140 attendees and congratulated award winners for their outstanding accomplishments. “We have supported some of the amazing organizations represented here tonight, and your excellence is what creates our healthy community,” Gayman said.
A total of 18 finalists were selected for recognition by the Partnership. Winners and honorable mentions were announced across six categories: community volunteer; youth; nonprofit; professional; and business. A special lifetime achievement award was given to Dr. Harold Kretzing in recognition of his long-standing commitment to community health. Dr. Kretzing worked as a family physician in Carlisle, served as a school and sports physician for Carlisle Area School District and has volunteered countless hours providing care to patients at Sadler Health Center.
Becca Raley, Executive Director at the Partnership, said that this year’s honorees shared four outstanding qualities: passion for a cause, the ability to pursue their work with excellence, the dedication to go above and beyond in helping others, and a deep commitment to making health something that everyone in our region can share. “The future of our community lies in the power and courage of people to be above and beyonders,” she stated. “Rather than step back when faced with a challenge, each of these individuals stepped forward.”
Collectively, winners received $2500 in prizes from the Partnership to contribute to local health charities of their choice. As the winner of a grand prize drawing, the Law Offices of Saidis, Sullivan & Rogers won $1300, which they plan to donate to a health charity.
2016 Champion for Better Health Winners
Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
Dr. Harold Kretzing
Nonprofits of the Year Winners
Cumberland Valley Rails-To-Trails Council- The Council is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that built and maintains the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail. The trial currently runs from Shippensburg to Newville, and plans are underway to expand the trail to Carlisle. All trail maintenance, development, grant writing and promotions are accomplished by volunteers.
NHS Stevens Center’s Comprehensive Clinical Team and Drug and Alcohol Program have lead the way in psychiatric services and drug and alcohol outpatient treatment for Cumberland and Perry Counties. The Comprehensive Team targets individuals with chronic and persistent mental illness who are under- or uninsured. The Drug and Alcohol Program treats an estimated 200 clients each year, who are also under- or uninsured.
Nonprofits Receiving Honorable Mentions
- American Trauma Society- The Trauma Society’s Pennsylvania Division is fully committed to reducing traumatic injuries and deaths through preventive education. They are on the leading edge with the development of new trauma prevention— with initiatives that target everything from bike helmet usage and concussion prevention, to Plain Community initiatives, secondary drownings and home safety.
- The Civic Club of Shippensburg provides, free of charge, a registered nurse for non-skilled services not covered by insurance plans for those over 18. These services are funded with the help of fund raisers, Court House tours, bequests and donations from various organizations.
- Dickinson College’s employee wellness program began in 2006 to create a culture of wellbeing for their employees. Dickinson has partnered with the Carlisle UMedGym to offer a unique program—individual guidance for those with specific health needs while reducing health risks and increasing overall wellbeing.
Volunteer of the Year Winner
Samantha Nenninger – Samantha is a survivor of the #1 complication of childbirth: postpartum depression. As co-facilitator of Carlisle Regional Medical Center’s HOPE mom’s group, she is using her experience to help other mothers. Through inspirational texts, outreach though social media, and responding to phone calls at all hours, Samantha has become a trusted friend and advocate of new moms who are struggling.
Volunteer Receiving an Honorable Mention
- Kim Bailey – Kim created the PAW Packs Program for the Big Spring School District. This program provides packages of food for weekends, holidays and vacations to eligible children who otherwise would not have enough to eat.
Business of the Year Winner
The Law Offices of Saidis, Sullivan and Rogers – This team of enthusiastic employees developed a dynamic wellness at work program for their office. They shared health materials and hosted staff competitions to incentivize healthy behaviors like walking, drinking more water and taking the stairs. Together, their staff virtually walked the Macy’s Day Parade, the beaches of Hawaii and all the way to Aspen, Colorado.
Professionals of the Year Winners
Jack Carroll – Government Leader of the Year. Jack is executive director of the Cumberland-Perry Drug & Alcohol Commission. He has been a tireless advocate for drug and alcohol treatment and prevention resources to meet the needs of local residents. As the opiate epidemic has escalated in recent years, Jack is playing a pivotal role in educating the community about the crisis and he is working to expand treatment options through collaboration with many others.
Camille Baughman – Wellness Professional of the Year. As a licensed massage therapist, Camille has been promoting healthy lifestyles in the community for 30 years. She has co-developed local programs like the YWCA’s Partners in Wellness and Harrisburg Area Community College’s massage therapy program. She has given her leadership to professional groups by serving on the Boards of the Pennsylvania Massage Therapy Licensing Board, the YWCA, and the Cumberland County Drug & Alcohol Commission. Camille has also given generously of her time to important youth serving programs, like Camp Koala and Randi’s Camp.
Dr. Roderick Frazier – Public Health Professional of the Year. After retiring as a dentist with the United States military, Dr. Frazier decided he was ready to do more. He joined Sadler Health Center to provide quality dental care to under- and uninsured patients of all ages. Now with Sadler for 15 years, he has served thousands of patients. In his free time, he has volunteered for local groups, like the Rotary Club of Carlisle and the Employment Skills Center.
Dr. Holly Hoffman – Medical Professional of the Year. For Dr. Hoffman, a dedicated practicing pediatrician, superior health care for children in Carlisle has always been her goal. Dr. Hoffman chairs the Department of Pediatrics at Carlisle Regional Medical Center. As a proponent of the patient centered medical home, she led the way for Carlisle Pediatric Associates to become certified. A long-standing medical volunteer, Dr. Hoffman has given her time and expertise to Sadler Health Center, Living Water Dental Health Ministry and Christ Lutheran Prenatal Clinic. She has led medical mission trips to Kenya and served as a Girl Scout leader for 13 years.
Professionals Receiving Honorable Mentions
- Dr. Tina Collins – As a hospitalist at Carlisle Regional Medical Center, Dr. Collins consistently goes above and beyond in caring for her patients. When they are lonely and depressed, she is at their bedside to provide comfort, understanding and pampering. Dr. Collins visits with patients on her days off and quietly provides financial support, clothing and food to patients in need.
- Dr. Chavone Momon-Nelson – Joining the Carlisle community in 2014 as a partnering physician at Carlisle OB/GYN, Dr. Momon-Nelson hit the ground running. She has made it her mission to provide outstanding care to local patients and she is very active in the community. Dr. Nelson opened a satellite office in Shippensburg.
- Janelle French – As a certified nutrition coach, Janelle founded Genesis Health Journeys to educate community members about the benefits of whole foods and active lifestyles. In her role as a coach, Janelle has helped people regain health through a nutritious diet and lifestyle changes that incorporate exercise into daily living.
- Sadler’s Nurse Family Partnership – The mission of Sadler’s Nurse-Family Partnership is to empower mothers living in poverty to successfully change their lives and the lives of their children through evidence-based home visits from a caring nurse. Impressive program outcomes include improved prenatal health, fewer childhood injuries, fewer subsequent pregnancies, increases in maternal employment and improved school readiness. Sadler’s dedicated nurse team will serve 115 families next year, living in Cumberland and Perry Counties.
Youth of the Year Winner
LEAF – Leadership, Education and Farming is a unique method for effecting change in the way our community relates to food. LEAF trains youth to be change agents in their own communities. Each year, LEAF hires a cohort of young interns between the ages of 14 and 22, and engages them in growing fresh produce, in learning to cook the food they raise, and in educating the community about nutrition.