Greenville, NC (1888PressRelease)
September 26, 2008 - North Carolina public health professionals today were honored with GlaxoSmithKline Child Health Recognition Awards for their successes in children’s health programs. All nominees were recognized and winners announced at an awards ceremony in New Bern during the North Carolina Public Health Association’s annual meeting.
The awards showcase innovative programs that improve the lives of North Carolina’s children. This year’s awards focus on outstanding collaborative programs that affect the health of children in all nomination categories.
The awards, which include monetary grants were presented in these categories:
• The Lifetime Achievement Award, given to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to improving children’s health services through a series of achievements, went to Joseph C. Stegman, MD, director of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics of the Carolinas in Concord. For more than 20 years, Dr. Stegman has been a leader and advocate in the local community for children with learning and behavioral disabilities.
• The Individual Recognition Award, given to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to improving children’s health services, went to Willard (Bill) Helmuth, MD, medical director of the Child Health and Communicable Disease Programs at the Union County Health Department in Monroe. Instead of retiring as he could have, Dr. Helmuth pours his energies into local public health, performing medical exams at a local children’s advocacy center for children who are victims of physical and sexual abuse.
• Local Health Department Recognition Awards were awarded to Caldwell, Pender and New Hanover County Health Departments. The awards, given to departments that have developed innovative programs producing measurable, sustainable outcomes. New Hanover County Health Department for its Collaborative Child Health Programs for School Children. Caldwell County Health Department and Pender County Health Department for their comprehensive dental programs.
The GlaxoSmithKline Child Health Recognition Awards were established to honor local health departments, public health staff and individual citizens for their dedication to improving child health. A committee of healthcare professionals established by the North Carolina Partnership for Children chose the award recipients. More information about the award winners follows.
Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Joseph C. Stegman, MD
Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics of the Carolinas, Concord
Affectionately known as Dr. Joe, this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is described as a man with a heart to serve others, especially children. For more than 20 years, Dr. Stegman has been a leader and advocate in the local community for children with learning and behavioral disabilities, such as attention deficit disorder, autism and cerebral palsy. He works to educate the community on the importance of properly identifying children with special needs and to ensure that they receive the appropriate care.
Individual Recognition Award Recipient
Willard Helmuth, MD
Medical Director, Child Health and Communicable Disease Programs
Union County Health Department, Monroe
After working with the Centers for Disease Control, directing a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for many years, working as a vice president of a pediatric medical group in Florida and traveling as a medical missionary, it was time for Dr. Bill Helmuth to retire. Instead, he poured his energies into local public health, and performs medical exams at a local children’s advocacy center for children who are victims of physical and sexual abuse. His concern and compassion are most evident when he participates in case reviews, working with Social Services and law enforcement staff, prosecutors, counselors and other advocates on medical issues related to child abuse. His dedication to these children and their families is often the first step in their healing process.
Local Health Department Recognition Award Recipients
Caldwell County Health Department
Dental Program
Children in Caldwell County now proudly say “cheese!” thanks to the Caldwell County Health Department Dental Health Team. In the past year alone, their staff’s efforts have resulted in more than 2,000 healthier mouths and happier smiles. They’ve traveled from schools to churches to educate, screen and treat as many children as possible. Dental staff provide dental services in a variety of settings in an effort to increase access to care. Collaborative efforts include local cable programming, Smart Start partnership, Caldwell County School System, North Carolina Baptist Men’s Association, and other efforts to meet the needs of the children in Caldwell County. For this group, there is a never a case too small or too big, and long hours are just part of their day’s work.
New Hanover Health Department
Collaborative Child Health Programs for School Children
The New Hanover County Health Department’s Collaborative Child Health Programs for School Children have developed in cooperation with two school systems, the mental health agency, an adjacent county health department and other community organizations serving children. Over the last five years, health services have been expanded to children in schools by increasing the number of school nurses so that each school has one, and by adding health services such as “Health-O-Ramas” and athletic health screenings. The Health Department also accepted a local school mental health counseling program that was being divested from the mental health agency, with school-based therapists. Finally, dental services are now being provided onsite with a mobile unit at schools with the highest number of low-income families.
Pender County Health Department
Dental Program
Pender County’s school dental program has kicked into high gear! The dental program started in 1998 with one mobile primary health care and dental clinic, and no staff. Affordability and accessibility to dental healthcare are problems for low-income residents of Pender County. It now has two full-time dentists and assistants who staff a mobile unit and a primary dental clinic at the Health Department. Pender is meeting the needs for more than 6,000 patients, whom almost 50 percent are zero pay clients.
About GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. As part of this corporate commitment, GlaxoSmithKline takes an active role in supporting community efforts in the areas of health and human services, education, civic activities and the arts.
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