NC Public Health Professionals Serve On Selection Committee For 2012 Child Health Recognition Awards

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Distinguished public health professionals have been named to the selection committee for the 2012 North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation Child Health Recognition Awards. These annual awards showcase exceptional and innovative programs that improve the lives and health of children in North Carolina.

The selection process is managed by the North Carolina Public Health Association (NCPHA), who has chosen the following public health professionals from across North Carolina:

• Lee Ann Cook, LPN, Public Health Nurse, New Hanover County Health Department
• Cindy B. Evans, RN-BC; Program Manager, Clinical Services, Wake County Human Services
• Elizabeth Hudgins, Executive Director, Child Fatality Task Force
• Cynthia W. Jeffries, MBA; Assistant Health Director, Forsyth County Department of Public Health
• Christy O'Connor, MS, RD LDN; Elementary School Nutritionist, Durham County Health Department
• Emily Robertson, REHS; Environmental Health Program Specialist, Pitt County Environmental Health
• Kathleen Shapley-Quinn, MD; Medical Director, Alamance County Health Department.

A ceremony honoring award recipients and nominees will be held in New Bern on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, during NCPHA's Annual Meeting. This year's awards will focus on outstanding programs that affect the health of children. The awards will also spotlight programs that combat childhood obesity, promote healthy pregnancies, and treat asthma or teen depression. Awards for 2012 are in two categories:

• The Individual Recognition Award for a person who has made an outstanding contribution to improving children's health services through a single effort;
• The Local Health Department Recognition Award for health departments that have developed innovative programs producing measurable, sustainable outcomes;

About The North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation
Based in Research Triangle Park, the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation supports programs that promote the sciences, health, and education. Since its creation in 1986, the Foundation has granted nearly $60 million to support North Carolina projects and programs that meet the educational needs of today's society and of future generations. Follow us on Twitter @NCGSKFound.

SOURCE North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation