Health Forward Recognizes the Health Care Coalition of Lafayette County as First Recipient of the Healthy Lafayette Award

KANSAS CITY, MO – The Health Forward Foundation is pleased to announce the Health Care Coalition of Lafayette County as the first recipient of the Healthy Lafayette Award.

The Healthy Lafayette Award is the first in a series of awards given to leaders in Allen, Cass, Lafayette counties and the Kansas City metropolitan area. Nominations were submitted online for those individuals and agencies who are working to promote good health among the uninsured and underserved in Lafayette County.

A ceremony will be held on Monday, December 14th at 10:30 at the Lexington 4Life Center to present the Coalition with their award and a $5,000 check. Health Forward staff, Board Chair Larry Blankinship, Board Member Terry Thompson and CAC Member D.J. Davis will be in attendance to present the award to Toniann Richard and representatives of the Coalition Board.

“I believe this award is a testament to the good work of all those in Lafayette County who are working with the Coalition to address the health needs of our county,” said Executive Director Toniann Richard. “ It is because of their hard work and dedication we are able to move many programs forward simultaneously. We are grateful for all of our collaborators and members.”

The Coalition was nominated by Janice Putnam, RN, PhD. In her nomination, Putnam states, “Under the direction of Toniann Richard, Executive Director, the organization has worked hard to promote good health in Lafayette County among all, including the uninsured and underinsured. The Health Care Coalition of Lafayette County is well deserving of the Healthy Lafayette Award. We are very lucky to have such dedicated people serving our community.”

Each nomination was reviewed by a panel of judges representing the Health Forward Board of Directors, the Health Forward Community Advisory Committee and Health Forward Associates. The judges developed a point system to measure the nominee’s level of involvement in health improvement activities and the impact of the activities. Nominations were judged on whether the nominee helped the uninsured and underserved through an initiative, actively influencing public policies, participating or planning events and working or volunteering to help individuals and families to lead healthier lives.

“Through the Healthy Lafayette award, the Health Care Foundation recognizes and acknowledges all of those in Lafayette County who are actively helping the uninsured and underserved lead healthier lives. The Health Care Coalition of Lafayette County is working tirelessly on eliminating barriers to health for those in Lafayette County,” said Steve Roling, Health Forward President/CEO. “We received outstanding nominations for the Healthy Lafayette award and want to express our appreciation to all of those who were nominated and encourage all nominees to continue making a difference in their communities.”

Other nominees included Commissioner Gil Rector, House of Hope, the Lafayette County Health Department, Pathways Community Behavioral Healthcare, Concordia School District Superintendent Mary Beth Scherer, the University of Missouri Extension HELP Initative and Dr. William LaHue.