Public Health Week

Paul Hudak with some of his student farmers National Public Health Week 2012 is April 2-8. In celebration and recognition of local public health efforts, Washington County presented the Tenth Annual Public Health Recognition Awards to one individual and one organization that have made a significant impact on public health in Washington County.

Paul Hudak was honored as the developer and director of Terra Nova Community Farm in Beaverton, a project he initiated in 2008.

A teacher at Terra Nova High School, Hudak worked to convert an unused baseball field at the high school into a productive student farm. Since that time, the farm has become an official Community Supported Agriculture program (CSA), whereby people invest in the farm at the beginning of the season and receive a share of farm-fresh produce throughout the growing season.

Under Hudak's leadership, the students who operate the farm have learned about healthy sustainable agriculture; made it possible for the community to have better access to fresh fruits and vegetables; and have grown to understand the importance of community and knowing where their food comes from.Representatives from Washington County, Community Action and Coffee Creek

For the first time in the award's history, the organization being honored is actually a collaboration between two groups. Coffee Creek Correctional Facility and Community Action Early Head Start have developed ways to improve the health of pregnant inmates during incarceration. Examples include prenatal and postpartum support groups and classes as well as a breastfeeding program that allows women to pump and store breast milk for their newborns.

Now any inmate who wishes to pump breast milk for her newborn can do so. The mothers can also enroll in the Early Head Start program at the facility and breastfeed their infants several times a week when they are together in the program. The nutritional and psychological benefits for both mothers and infants are significant.

According to Kathleen O'Leary, Public Health Division Manager for Washington County, "Our vision, 'healthy people, thriving communities' can only be realized through effective partnerships and shared work. These recipients are shining examples of how to focus on prevention and good nutrition to build life-long good health."

Past Honorees:

  • 2003: Helen Emmons, RN; ¡Salud!
  • 2004: Lorene Piontkowski, RN; Forest Grove Family Resource Center
  • 2005: Roberto Varona; Pacific Univ. School of Physician Assistant Studies
  • 2006: Jan Larsen, RN, BSN; TriMet
  • 2007: Susan Greathouse, RD/LD, MPH, IBCLC; Essential Health Clinic
  • 2008: Loaves and Fishes Centers
  • 2009: Lisa Vincent; Community Action Organization, Opening Doors
  • 2010: Michelle Brady, RN, BSN; Adelante Mujeres, Adelante Agricultura
  • 2011: Marilyn Hickman, RN, BSN, BC; Providence Infections Disease ConsultantsSue Omel (r) explains how field nurses help families understand their babies' development.

Public Health Career Day
Directly following the awards ceremony on April 5, Washington County hosted a Public Health Career Day. Students from area high schools participated in the half-day event, which offered them the opportunity to participate in a series of short, interactive sessions with various public health professionals in environmental health, maternal & child health, emergency medical services, epidemiology and more. Representatives from Oregon State University, Portland State University and AmeriCorps were also on hand to talk to students. To inquire about participation in future health career days, please contact Andy Cartmill at 503-846-4903.

Body and Mind Health Fair (BAM!)
On April 12, Washington County staff will spend the day at a local elementary school, conducting a variety of educational and fun activities for students in the 4th and 5th grades. To learn how your elementary school can participate in future years, contact Vikki Moore at 503-846-2815.