McCreary County Health Coalition and the Wayne County Health Council
Healthy Kentucky Policy Champions of the Year
The McCreary County Health Coalition and the Wayne County Health Council each received $2,500 from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky upon being named “Healthy Kentucky Policy Champions of the Year” in Kentucky. The foundation award recognizes the efforts of many civic and community leaders in the two counties to improve local health in the face of sometimes daunting challenges.
The two counties were among nine Healthy Kentucky Policy Champions named by the foundation in 2018; that award made them eligible for the Policy Champion of the Year award and a $5,000 cash award to the nonprofit of their choice. This is the first year of the Healthy Kentucky Policy Champion award, which recognizes individuals and organizations working to improve the health of Kentuckians through policy change. Recipients are nominated by the public and selected by a Committee of the Foundation’s Community Advisory Council.
Both McCreary and Wayne Counties had been identified as “Bright Spots” in research released by the foundation, along with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Appalachian Regional Commission, in July. Several community members called out in the Bright Spots research also were on hand as the awards and checks were presented today.
Nominations for the Healthy Kentucky Policy Champion Award are accepted at any time, and must be endorsed by a member of the foundation’s Board of Directors or Community Advisory Council. Nomination forms and other details can be found at the link below.
Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky (Louisville, KY)
Contact: Bonnie J. Hackbarth
Phone: 877.326.2583
Email: bhackbarth@healthy-ky.org
George A. Hill
2018 Dr. Wendy J. Wolf Health Leadership Award
The Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF) has named George A. Hill, President & CEO of Maine Family Planning, as its 2018 Dr. Wendy J. Wolf Health Leadership Award recipient. The award includes $10,000 for Maine Family Planning, an organization that Mr. Hill has led since 1991.
Mr. Hill has relentlessly pursued access to primary care and reproductive health services for his entire career. Under his leadership, Maine Family Planning ensures that each year, more than 21,000 Maine women and teens have access to affordable, high quality family planning services through a network of 47 clinic sites located in every county. Mr. Hill has been a valiant advocate to ensure access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion services when needed.
The Dr. Wendy J. Wolf Health Leadership Award will be made annually until 2026 to honor the legacy of MeHAF’s founding CEO, Wendy Wolf. The award honors her 15-year tenure by recognizing the exceptional leadership and achievements of nonprofit leaders working to promote access to quality health care and improve the health of Maine people, particularly the uninsured and underserved. It includes a $10,000 gift to the nonprofit organization that employs the recognized leader.
Maine Health Access Foundation (Augusta, ME)
Contact: Barbara Leonard
Phone: 207.620.8266 x102
Email: bleonard@mehaf.org