Hill, Martin & Bolton Win Public Health Awards

The 2011 Public Health Awards were held yesterday afternoon [Apr.6]. The winner of the Public Health Award 2011 for Physicians is Dr. June Hill, the winner for Pharmacists is Lynanne Bolton and the winner of the Chief Medical Officer’s Award 2011 is Eric Martin.

The key health issue for Public Health Week 2011 is Preventing Antibiotic Resistance with the theme “Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work.” Antibiotic resistance, also known as drug resistance, occurs when antibiotics can no longer cure bacterial infections due to improper use and abuse of antibiotics.

The various award recipients and nominees of the 2011 Public Health Awards are pictured below with some of the event’s organizers and Minister DeSilva:

Physicians and Pharmacists play a vital role in protecting the public’s health through promoting appropriate antibiotic use. Antibiotic resistance is combated when physicians prescribe antibiotics only when needed and pharmacists recommend over-the-counter medication for relief from cold and flu symptoms.

Appropriate use of antibiotics is important in protecting the public’s health and this is why the Department of Health recognized physicians and pharmacists contribution to public health in Bermuda. The winner of the Public Health Award 2011 for Physicians is Dr. June Hill and the winner for Pharmacists is Lynanne Bolton.

Pictured below left to right: Permanent Secretary of Health Kevin Monkman; Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Cann; Minister of Health Zane De Silva; Health Promotion Coordinator at the Department of Health Dr. Virloy Lewin; Senior Medical Officer at the Department of Health Dr. Cheryl Peek-Ball.

This year Department of Health also recognised Department of Staff for their contribution and dedication to Health Promotion in the Bermuda community. Individuals nominated embody the mission of the Department of Health, protecting the public’s health. Staff members selected showed a commitment to public health and has served the community with distinction. The winner of the Chief Medical Officer’s Award 2011 is Eric Martin.

Minister DeSilva’s full remarks follow below:

Dear guests, colleagues and friends,
It is a great honour to stand before you today to celebrate some of the many public health successes in Bermuda.

I am certain that everyone here today knows why public health is important. Just about everyone in this room is involved in some way in ensuring that our community is healthy. All of you work to make sure our residents can enjoy optimum well being.

This year, Public Health Week has focused on Preventing Antibiotic Resistance with the theme “Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work”. We’ve placed a special focus on the role that physicians and pharmacists play in combating antibiotic resistance and building a healthier Bermuda.

With this in mind, the public were invited to submit nominations for physicians and pharmacists who have distinguished themselves and their profession through their outstanding contributions in medical or pharmacy practices which have resulted in a significant improvement in the health of the population he or she serves.

A total of 13 forms were received nominating nine individuals – four physicians and five pharmacists. So with no further delay allow me to present to you the recipients of the Public Health Professional Award.

The first Public Health Professional Award is being presented to the physician who has distinguished himself or herself in medical practice resulting in a significant improvement in the health of the population he or she serves. This physician has been a keen and effective public health advocate for over 25 years. This physician’s support of the Department of Health and public health initiatives has helped to “sell” initiatives to peers.

This physician has chaired and served on numerous committees, including the Bermuda Health Council from 2006-2008. This physician excels in working with other community groups – social workers, the police, the legal community, and the public at large. The winner of the Public Health Professional Award 2011 for Physicians is DR. JUNE HILL.

The second Public Health Professional Award is being presented to the pharmacist who has distinguished himself or herself in pharmacy practice resulting in a significant improvement in the health of the population he or she serves.

This pharmacist was actively involved in the establishment of the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association in 1978 and was one of the first elected officers of the Association. This pharmacist was instrumental in getting work started and completed on the Pharmacy Legislation in Bermuda.

This pharmacist was one of the first pharmacists in Bermuda to introduce the family records systems for prescriptions.This pharmacist is extremely dedicated as the pharmacy inspector and works hard to promote the role of the pharmacist in the island. The winner of the Public Health Professional Award 2011 for Pharmacist is MS. LYNANNE BOLTON.

We also wish to recognise formally all of the individuals who were nominated. I would like to ask each of them in turn to come forward to receive a certificate of nomination from the Chief Medical Officer. This year we are also recognising Department of Health Staff for their contribution and dedication to Health Promotion in the Bermuda Community.

Individuals nominated embody the mission of the Department of Health, protecting the public’s health. The staff member selected showed a commitment to public health and has served the community with distinction. This staff member goes the extra mile and gives the extra smile in the performance of duties.

This person is a dedicated team player and is constantly acting to improve the capacity of colleagues and the public to live happy, healthy and productive lives. This staff member is an extremely fair-minded individual who is known for his or her mediation skills and being able to see more than all sides of the story in coming up with creative options to resolve conflict.

Public Health is something that this staff member sacrifices to improve. This staff member is always eager to share their love for exercise and Tai Chi with co-workers and has been at the centre of the annual staff wellness initiative dubbed “the battle of the sexes” which is our springtime Botanical Gardens walk and run derby. This staff member is the loudest cheerleader and thrives on the participation of others. The winner of the CMO Award for 2011 – is ERIC MARTIN.

We also wish to formally recognise all of the individuals who were nominated. I would like to ask each of them in turn to come forward to receive a certificate of nomination from the Chief Medical Officer. To conclude, allow me to thank you for being with us on this important occasion. Please join me in applauding the phenomenal public health efforts of everyone who has been honoured today.

Thank You.

#AwardWinners #Health

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