Annual “100,000 Award” recognizes dedication to improving health and well-being
By John Disher—
MUNCIE, IN— The Healthy Community Alliance of East Central Indiana (HCA) presented its “100,000 Award in Memory of Dr. George Branam” to the Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition (JCDPC) at its annual recognition meeting on June 12, 2023. The annual award is given to an individual or organization that supports the work of the HCA through outstanding leadership, innovative collaborations and unwavering dedication to improving the health and well-being of local communities.
The HCA “100,000 Award” recognizes the legacy of the late George Branam, MD, a steadfast champion of community health and wellness, and the number 100,000 represents Dr. Branam’s lifetime miles completed to train for and compete in sixty-six running marathons.
“Over the past few years the JCDPC has successfully sought grant funding and been able to develop an extremely robust tobacco and vaping prevention and cessation program in Jay County,” noted John Disher, Director of Community Outreach for Indiana University Health’s East Central Region and facilitator for the HCA. “They have been strongly focused on youth education around vaping and have partnered with the local school system to develop innovative methods to educate and support student audiences.”
During the last year, team members from the JCDPC collaborated with Jay County Jr./Sr. High School to develop an alternative to suspension policy which provides vaping and tobacco cessation support to students; and worked to train area educators regarding ways to incorporate tobacco free education in school settings. Outreach services are also provided through partnerships with local organizations and at various community events. The group also recently travelled to Washington D.C. to meet with policymakers about the dangers of e-flavored cigarettes and the health burden that tobacco use imposes on rural communities.
The JCDPC award came at the close of the HCA’s annual meeting which highlighted the work of Healthy Community Alliance Partners across east central Indiana. “We appreciate this recognition and are thankful for the support and encouragement of our local and regional collaborative partners,” said Kimbra Reynolds, Executive Director of the Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition. “We look forward to continuing this important work, particularly as it relates to the youth of Jay County.”
The Healthy Community Alliance was launched in 2016 as a collective impact model health coalition. Today, its 150 partner organizations in Delaware, Blackford and Jay counties seek to promote increased physical activity, improved nutrition and tobacco prevention and cessation within their own sphere of influence. The HCA Steering Committee meets each year to nominate and select an HCA Partner organization to receive the “100,000 Award.” Past recipients include the Purdue Extension in 2019, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in 2020, The Healthy Lifestyle Center at Ball State University in 2021, and Blackford Greenway advocate Fred Hoffman in 2022. Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital serves as the backbone organization and provides resources to support the work of the HCA.
Visit www.healthycommunityalliance.org to learn more.
