NEW ORLEANS, La.– The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) are pleased to announce the winners of the third annual National Health Security Award. This award recognizes local health departments that have demonstrated significant accomplishments in implementing health security-related initiatives within their jurisdictions. The winners received a travel scholarship and were recognized at the 2018 NACCHO Annual Conference in New Orleans on July 11, 2018.
They include San Luis Valley Public Health Partnership, Alamosa, Costilla, Conejos, Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache counties in Colorado.
Local health departments’ day-to-day operations have an impact on national health security across the country on a regular basis. “Every time a staff member runs a vaccination clinic or spearheads a disease-prevention campaign, these efforts also improve health security,” said NACCHO Chief Executive Officer Lori Tremmel Freeman. “Every time a local health department helps to track a disease outbreak or connect people with personal health services, like preventive or health promotion services, the agency gives health security a direct boost. Advancing our national health security is a vital component for all of the nation’s local health departments.”
“This award recognizes the essential role of local public health departments in ensuring our country’s health security,” added Dr. Robert Kadlec, HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. “The leadership, innovation, and dedication shown by these recipients and many others across the country translates into lives saved.
CATEGORY: CREATION OF A REGIONAL DISASTER HEALTH RESPONSE SYSTEM
San Luis Valley Public Health Partnership, Alamosa, Costilla, Conejos, Mineral Rio Grande and Saguache counties in Colorado
The San Luis Valley Public Health Partnership (SLVPHP) is a coalition of six local public health agency (LPHA) directors and regional shared staff. “The partnership’s mission is to develop and implement shared public health services to improve health outcomes. In this rural area, we rely on each other in so many ways,” said Kimberly Bryant, Partnership Coordinator. “Working together as a region has built trust and a greater sense of security as we call on others’ resources and expertise when needed, and helps us develop stronger relationships with our community partners. Creating a regional organization based on collaborative leadership draws good people to it. Community partners reach a little further across the table with partners they trust. When we cooperate with good intentions and attitudes, others want to work with us to strengthen our communities.”

About NACCHO
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) represents the nation’s nearly 3,000 local governmental health departments. These city, county, metropolitan, district, and tribal departments work every day to protect and promote health and well-being for all people in their communities. For more information about NACCHO, please visit www.naccho.org.