Champions for Better Health

Purpose

The Partnership for Better Health’s Champions for Better Health Awards recognize distinguished community volunteers, health care providers, business leaders, philanthropists, and youth whose work plays a vital role in advancing the health and wellness of our region. Community members are invited to nominate local health champions whose work and service makes our community a healthy place for everyone to live, learn, work and play.

Requirements to be Nominated

Focus Area: The work or service of successful nominees will demonstrate a substantial commitment to addressing health equity that all people have the chance to enjoy healthy lives. Nominees should advance at least one of the following goals:

  1. Build healthy communities by supporting decisions, conditions and systems that enable people to live healthier lives in their schools, workplaces, homes and neighborhoods.
  2. Ensure equitable access to medical, dental and/or behavioral health services.
  3. Strengthen the health capacities of organizations and groups to collaborate and engage in strategies to improve health.

Region: All applicants must work in or serve the Partnership for Better Health’s geographic region, which includes Central and Western Cumberland County, all of Perry County, Northern Adams County and Greater Shippensburg. Click here for a map of our service area.

Learn more about our 2022 Champions for Better Health Awards!

Recognition Categories

Heather Swartz Volunteer of the Year

Honors an individual or family who demonstrates exceptional leadership skills in their volunteer activities and plays a major role in advancing the health and wellness of our region. Nominees will be reviewed using the following criteria:

  • Evidence of quality leadership and organizational abilities.
  • Time, effort, and personal commitment to volunteerism that advances health.
  • Demonstrated ability to recruit and motivate others in their commitment to volunteerism.

Professional of the Year

Honors outstanding health professionals or other individuals who have played a vital role in advancing the health and wellness of our region. Examples include but are not limited; to physicians, clinicians, teachers, nonprofit/community leaders and elected officials. Nominees will be evaluated using the following criteria:

  • Evidence of career achievements, length and tenure of commitment to health issues.
  • Experience, leadership, creativity and involvement in advancing the health and wellness of our region.
  • Demonstrated commitment to continuing professional development and growth (e.g., membership in professional organizations and/or volunteer service)

Philanthropist of the Year

Honors an individual, family or private foundation with a proven record of exceptional generosity who, through direct financial support, demonstrates outstanding civic and charitable engagement that advances the health and wellness of our region. Nominees will be evaluated using the following criteria:

  • Evidence of community giving that has a direct impact on the health of our community.
  • Encouragement and motivation of others to play leadership roles in philanthropy.
  • Philanthropic support of innovative approaches to challenging community health issues.

Nonprofit of the Year

Honors a nonprofit organization or governmental agency that, through encouragement and motivation of others, takes a leadership role in advancing the health and wellness of our region. Nominees will be evaluated using the following criteria:

  • Evidence of program effectiveness and track record of organizational accomplishments.
  • Innovation and vigor in meeting community health needs. Capacity to successfully engage many others in building a healthy community.
  • Use of innovative approaches that inspire nonprofit employees to engage in wellness activities through the workplace.

Business of the Year

Honors a business, corporation, for-profit firm or association that demonstrates an outstanding commitment to advancing the health and wellness of our region. Nominees will be evaluated using the following criteria:

  • Direct investment of time and resources in advancing the health and wellness of our region.
  • Demonstrated leadership in building community support for health services, programs or strategies. Support of nonprofit organizations benefiting the health of the community.
  • Use of innovative approaches that inspire employees to engage in wellness activities through the workplace. Demonstrated track record of workplace wellness investments.

Youth or Youth Group of the Year

Honors a young person or group of young people, under the age of 21, who has made a positive difference by supporting the health and wellness of others in the community. Nominees will be evaluated using the following criteria:

  • Personal investment of time and leadership in supporting community health.
  • Demonstrated health advocacy through service, volunteering and/or fundraising.
  • Capacity to encourage and motivate others to engage in health strategies or activities.