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2006 'Champions of Health' Award Winners Announced; Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority Receives Top Honor

Posted on: Thursday, 28 September 2006, 18:00 CDT

TULSA, Okla., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- A unique teen drinking and driving prevention and awareness program developed by the Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority has been chosen as the Champion of Oklahoma Health, the highest recognition in the 2006 Champions of Health Awards. The awards program recognizes outstanding organizations and individuals dedicated to improving the health of Oklahomans.

Through the authority's Project CHILD (Children's Health Interventions and Lifestyle Development) initiative, a program called "I Died. Who's Next?" delivers a message with impact -- the fact that alcohol-related vehicle crashes are the nation's No. 1 killer of teens. In 2006, the two-day educational event was presented to 8,000 students in 14 schools throughout southeastern Oklahoma. The program uses role-playing exercises and partnerships with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, school districts and local police, fire, ambulance and funeral services to recreate realistic vehicle crash scenes to illustrate the tragic results of driving under the influence of alcohol. "I Died. Who's Next?" was selected from more than 120 Champions of Health award nominations.

The "Champion of Oklahoma Health" award will be accepted at the 2006 Champions of Health Awards, 6 p.m., Oct. 30, at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The event features master of ceremonies and University of Oklahoma women's basketball coach Sherri Coale and keynote speaker Dr. Louis Sullivan, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Tickets to the Champions of Health awards banquet may be purchased for $25 each, and event sponsorships benefit the Oklahoma Caring Foundation's children's health initiatives. For more information about sponsorships or to purchase tickets for the awards banquet, visit http://www.bcbsok.com/ or call 1-866-876-4376.

The Champions of Health awards program was created in 2004 by five partner organizations -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the Oklahoma Hospital Association, the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association and the Oklahoma State Medical Association.

As Champion of Oklahoma Health, the Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority receives a grant of $2,500 to award to the Oklahoma health improvement organization or project of their choice. Eleven other Champions selected from 10 categories also will be honored and each awarded a $1,000 contribution to their organization or program:

Champion of Children's Health -- Preventive Lifestyles for Active Youth (PLAY), Lawton -- Comanche County Memorial Hospital is addressing the childhood obesity epidemic through a school-based extended day program to promote physical activity in children. The 2005 pilot program at a Lawton elementary school site resulted in positive lifestyle changes in students' diets, exercise and self-esteem. Measurable improvements were noted in improved Body Mass Index (BMI) scores, increased physical fitness, program retention and positive feedback from children and parents. Additional funding to continue the program was unanimously approved by the hospital foundation's board.

Education and Awareness Champion -- HeartLine's Healthy Education for Life Program (HELP), Oklahoma City -- An aggressive suicide prevention effort reaches out to young adults by teaching them and their parents about warning signs of depression, self-harm and how to get help. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 24. Since 1997, more than 36,000 youth, educators and parents have been reached through schools and youth- related community groups. HeartLine's program is part of a comprehensive suicide prevention effort in central Oklahoma.

Professional Health Champion -- W. Michael Woods, MD, Ramona -- Dr. Woods teaches the value of rural medical care to young doctors practicing in sparsely populated Oklahoma communities. He is a team doctor on Friday football nights for many rural schools in northeastern Oklahoma. His vision for the teaching and training of resident physicians has resulted in introducing technology and overcoming the difficulty in obtaining access to quality medical care in rural areas. Since 2005, more than 3,100 patients were seen under Dr. Woods' supervision and mentoring. Dr. Gerry Clancy, Dean of the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa's College of Medicine and president of OU-Tulsa, said of Woods: "I can think of no other physician with whom I have worked over my past 18 years that exemplifies every virtue with the profession of medicine."

Champion of Senior Health -- Dentists for the Disabled and Elderly in Need of Treatment Inc. (D-DENT), Oklahoma City -- The value of good dental care for the elderly and disabled is demonstrated by a group of volunteer dentists who are addressing the health care needs of an underserved population. In 2005, the group provided service to more than 4,280 clients. Since 1986, D-DENT has provided dental care for more than 8,200 impoverished elderly and disabled persons and through more than 26,000 dental visits. More than $4 million of equipment and services has been donated to this life-saving program.

Health and Medical Media Champion -- Nicole Nascenzi, Tulsa World reporter -- Nicole Nascenzi's leadership and dedication to superior health reporting have significantly changed the face of HIV/AIDS coverage in Oklahoma. Nascenzi chronicled the life of an AIDS survivor and shared stories of many others fighting the epidemic. Outside the newsroom, she was the top individual fundraiser for the Tulsa AIDS Walk in 2005 and has continued following current issues in HIV/AIDS funding and education.

Champion of the Uninsured -- Health for Friends, Norman -- Prenatal care is a foundation of a host of free health services offered by a 21-year volunteer clinic that has grown from a one-day-a-week program to five days per week. Health for Friends serves the medical, dental and pharmacy needs of patients. The "Better Babies Clinic" seeks to improve the health of more than 1,270 mothers and their babies each year. Case management and bilingual interpretation is also provided to thousands of low-income clients each year.

Corporate Health Champion -- The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City -- By engaging its 1,100 employees in healthy activities, the state's largest newspaper company is rewarding healthy behavior and encouraging new healthy behaviors. A comprehensive benefits package includes incentive programs and an on-site health club to help employees lower their health care costs.

Minority Health Champion -- African American Faith Community for AIDS Prevention (AAFCAP) Oklahoma City -- A coalition of 15 faith leaders and congregations has successfully worked to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS in the black community. Through extensive educational training, the group has provided referrals and counseling for hundreds of persons affected by HIV and AIDS. The coalition has reached clients and other congregations by reducing the social stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.

Public Service Health Champions (tie -- two winners):

Sen. Mike Morgan, Stillwater -- Oklahoma State Senator and President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan has worked to address trauma and emergency health care issues by supporting three key initiatives. Morgan supported legislation providing nearly $20 million annually for the Trauma Reimbursement Fund to compensate health care providers for uninsured patients. He also has advocated the protection of the Medical Reserve Corps, a volunteer group of health care professionals who support public health needs. Morgan also led the charge to fund the creation of the Oklahoma Institute for Disaster and Emergency Medicine.

State Rep. Doug Cox, Grove -- Elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2004, Cox is the first doctor in the state legislature in more than 20 years. As Delaware County's winner of its "Humanitarian of the Year" award, Cox serves as a role model to his community. As an elected official, Cox has authored health care legislation and was a key supporter of the Medicaid reform initiative passed earlier this year. As a physician, Cox works at Grove Integris Hospital and at family clinics in the area.

Champion of Public Health -- Arthur G. Wallace, Jr., DO, MPH, Tulsa -- Dr. Wallace filled a need by starting the state's first Disaster Medical Assistance Team (D-MAT) after Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Since then, he has responded to disasters such as the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing; the Sept. 11, 2001, World Trade Center attack in New York City; and Hurricane Katrina, which devastated areas of the Gulf Coast in 2005. He has been a leader in organizing coordinated volunteer efforts to assist those affected by disasters.

(R) Registered Marks Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an independent Licensee of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma

CONTACT: Linda Sponsler, +1-918-551-3334, or Chad Friesen,+1-918-551-3368, both of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma

Web site: http://www.bcbsok.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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