Public Health Heroes

statue of raised hand holding a laurel wreath

The Public Health Heroes awards are an opportunity for Multnomah County Health Department and the Board of County Commissioners to recognize deserving people and organizations in the community who support and promote public health.

This year's Public Health Heroes Celebration will be held on Tuesday April 3.

Nominations

The nomination period has closed. Thanks to everyone who submitted nominations.

Award Winners

2011
Past Years

Award Criteria

A public health hero is a person or organization that promotes public health in their daily lives. This person, organization or business is the driving force behind public health efforts that embody the following criteria:

  • Makes a significant difference in the lives of the people served
  • Builds on individual and community strengths and assets
  • Mobilizes individuals and community groups to work in collaboration and cooperation
  • Are unique, innovative or fill an identified gap in a specific community
  • Is characterized by social justice and a celebration of diversity

Categories

  • The Josiah Hill Award: For outstanding community leaders dedicated to fighting for social, racial, health and environmental justice.
  • Multnomah County Employee: For current Multnomah County employees who demonstrate outstanding service to the public.
  • Business: Recognizes a business that promotes public health through their business practices.
  • Community-Based Organization: For a community agency.
  • Katie Jeans-Gail Award for Young Heroes: For a youth or youth-related group who inspires or promotes other young people to make healthy lifestyle choices.
  • Governor John Kitzhaber Public Health Leadership: For outstanding policy leaders (individual or organization) who work to influence policy solutions that have improved the public health environment for all members of our community in Multnomah County and the state of Oregon.

About public health

Public health is the art and science of protecting and improving the health of communities through education, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and research for disease and injury prevention. Public health works to prevent health problems before they occur, maintaining a focus on an entire community rather than on an individual.