April 15, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Jerry Soma, Anoka County Human Services Division Manager, 763-422-7008

PUBLIC HEALTH AWARDS RECOGNIZE DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT

Anoka County commissioners presented five public health awards at the April 8 county board meeting. The awards recognize the contributions made by individuals and groups to improve the health of the community.

The 2008 award winners are: Choose Respect student group, the Ramsey Lions Club, Brenda Link and Marvin Benson, and Lyla Pagels.

Choose Respect, a group of Northdale Middle School students from Coon Rapids, has been raising awareness and educating others about the issues of dating violence and developing healthy relationships. Dawn Rutt, Alexandra House, recruited the students to pilot the national program. Northdale Middle School’s group grew to over 30 students after an initial meeting. The group has sponsored many awareness raising activities for students. They also hosted a parents’ night to encourage parent-child discussions about healthy relationships. They have participated in Alexandra House’s Walk for Hope and hosted the Clothesline Project from the Minnesota Coalition of Battered Women. The Clothesline Project is an emotional exhibit that displays a t-shirt in honor of each person killed in Minnesota as a result of domestic abuse in 2006.

“Choose Respect demonstrates the ability of all committed Anoka County residents, no matter their age, to make an impact on public health by reducing violence,” said Anoka County Commissioner Scott LeDoux.  “Choose Respect has the potential to reduce dating violence and significant health problems often reported by its victims,” said Commissioner LeDoux.

The Ramsey Lions Club sponsors several activities to support the health and well being of Anoka County residents. The club funds requests for eye and hearing exams, hearing aids, glasses, and medical assistance for residents. The club has donated over $100,000 towards the Children’s Hearing Foundation at the University of Minnesota and $3,000 to each of several other organizations supporting hearing or visual services. The Lions have offered free 55 Alive classes every summer and provided over 100 needy families with holiday food baskets at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“The Ramsey Lions Club’s generosity has been critical to helping so many people, here in Anoka County and beyond,” said Anoka County Commissioner Dennis Berg.

Another important activity of the Ramsey Lions Club is their sponsorship of the Lions District 5M7 Wellness Van. The club includes the van in its annual June picnic so residents can be tested for health problems. They also have sponsored van visits to local high schools so students can be screened, as well as adults.

The Lions Wellness Van became a reality in Anoka County due to the efforts of past 5M7 Lions District Governor Marvin Benson, now deceased. He approached the Lion’s Club International Foundation in 1989 with the vision of bringing a mobile clinic to residents of Anoka County. Club 5M7 was granted $50,000 from LCIF to help purchase and equip a 32-foot motor home with state of the art medical testing apparatus and supplies. An additional $80,000 was contributed by the club which enabled startup of the program. The van rotates among 5M7 clubs who sponsor it for a designated period of time and support its maintenance.

Brenda Link, supervisor of the Wellness Van at Mercy Hospital, has provided leadership to ensure operation of the van since 1992. Mercy & Unity Hospitals partnered with the Lions to operate the van, providing staffing to screen visitors’ glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure. Test results of screenings are sent to participants through the mail. Testing has supported the Lions’ longstanding mission to prevent blindness which can be caused by diabetes. Mercy & Unity Hospitals continue to staff the van and are partially compensated by a $15 per person screening fee, paid by the hosting Lions club.

“The Wellness Van screened 24, 678 residents for illnesses in its first 10 years of operation. About 33 percent of those tested were found to have medium to high risks for targeted diseases,” said Anoka County Commissioner Dan Erhart. “Mr. Benson and Ms. Link are to be thanked for their efforts to improve public health in Anoka County,” said Commissioner Erhart.

Lyla Pagels, the recipient of an individual public health recognition award, is being recognized for her assistance in program development that honors the health needs of residents in many ways.

“Lyla’s initiative in developing support for Anoka County residents dealing with some of life’s hardest times has afforded our residents important opportunities for personal growth, grief support, physical and spiritual healing,” said Anoka County Commissioner Jim Kordiak.

Pagels has provided essential leadership in the successful development of the Health Ministries Network of Minnesota. This nonprofit, interfaith group is committed to encouraging, supporting and providing resources to those developing whole person ministries. Pagels also has been involved in successful partnerships that created and expanded the Anoka County Senior Caregiver Network’s Gathering sites, the NW Hennepin Faith Community Nurse Network and grief support programs in Anoka County. She has assisted curriculum development for faith communities regarding domestic violence and appropriate faith community responses. A new group formed from these efforts, Partners in Faith for Peace (PIFP), has supported the spiritual needs of battered women and their children through several initiatives. Pagels serves as an adjunct faculty member in providing the domestic violence module for faith community nurse preparation courses at both Concordia College and United Theological Seminary.

The public health awards were established in 2006 to recognize and honor citizens in Anoka County who devote their time, energy and talents to improving public health in their communities.

The selection committee, comprised of public health professionals and community volunteers, looked for candidates who demonstrated leadership and success in creating solutions to public health problems. Applicants were shown to be advocates for promoting healthy behaviors or protecting the health and safety of county citizens.

“We’re fortunate in Anoka County to have so many caring, talented people who give of themselves to the benefit of all of us,” said Anoka County Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah, chair of the county’s human services committee.

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Anoka County Commissioner Scott LeDoux, center, thanks students and advisors from Northdale Middle School and Alexandra House for their efforts to address dating violence.  Front, left to right: Spencer Stanley, Antonio Ledezma, Yekaterina Ivanschenko, Brittany Wimmer, Nicole Murto, Miranda Jamison, Amanda Beauregard, Abby Fiske, Alyssa Ash, Nathalie Pedracine. Middle: Claudia Kabella, advisor, Frances Kanneh, Stefani Malishevska,  Jessica Thurmer, Mariah Latenville, Anoka County Commissioner Scott LeDoux, Jessica Snyder, Alexis Sementelli, Amanda Pfeifer, Mariah Claflin, Jenni Eilertson, advisor. Back: Nyadien Giek, Dayne Robinson, Nicole Carlsen-Bellanger, Ariel Orench, Heather Murto, Lindsey Thaemert, Matt Swanson, Emily Anne Burger, Dustin Johnson, Dawn Rutt, advisor, Northdale Principal Laurie Jacklitch.

Photo Cutline for the Dennis Berg jpg

Anoka County Commissioner Dennis Berg, right, presents a public health award to the Ramsey Lions, represented by Gary Munkhol.

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Lois Benson and Brenda Link receive a public health award recognizing the Lions Wellness Van from Anoka County Commissioner Dan Erhart.

Anoka County Commissioner Jim Kordiak thanks Lyla Pagels for her leadership in developing programs that help people during hard times.

NOTE to Anna:  Two additional jpgs will be sent separately.  Thanks much.  Peggy McNabb

Peggy McNabb
Anoka County Human Services Administration
Phone:  763-422-7006
E-Mail  peggy.mcnabb@co.anoka.mn.us

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