Tuesday, April 9, 2002

Levinson Announces Public Health Partnership Award Recipients

Third grade student Lauren Stauffenberg will be honored along with nurse practitioner Suzanne Herron as the recipients of the 2002 Atlantic County Public Health Partnership Award. The award, presented each April in recognition of National Public Health Week, recognizes individuals who make a significant contribution to advancing the public health vision of healthy people living in healthy communities.

County Executive Dennis Levinson said, "Lauren Stauffenberg and Suzanne Herron share a selfless concern for the well being of others as demonstrated through their actions." He will present them with the award at a ceremony on Wednesday, April 10 at 3 PM at the Stillwater Building, 101 S. Shore Road in Northfield.

Stauffenberg, a student at Swift School in Egg Harbor Township, decided to celebrate her 9th birthday by asking her friends to join her for a tour of the Atlantic County Animal Shelter and a discussion about responsible pet ownership. Instead of asking for gifts, the young girl asked her friends to bring presents for the shelter animals. She also operated a lemonade stand over the summer, raising $36 which she donated in full to the animal shelter.

"Acts of generosity are admirable at any age, but at Lauren's age, these acts are exemplary," stated Levinson.

Suzanne Herron has been a staff member with Southern NJ Perinatal Cooperative for more than 10 years. She has continually worked with the Division of Public Health to improve maternal and child health through such projects as "Healthy Families," the Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies Coalition, the Smoking Cessation Project for pregnant women and the "Momobile" outreach van.

Public Health Officer Tracye McArdle noted, "In all these efforts, Suzanne is there working to transform good ideas into successful realities. She has earned this recognition through her dedication and service."

For more information, please contact the Division of Public Health at (609) 645-7700, ext. 4252.

County News