The City-County Health District Board of Health announces the 2022 Public Health Outstanding Service Awardees.
“The work of public health, to ensure that the health and well-being of all, is not done solely by CCHD staff, but also by community members who support this work,” states Theresa Will, CCHD Administrator. The 2022 award recipients include Joleen Hagen, Trent Bitz and Colleen Jones.
Joleen Hagen is the Food Services Director for Valley City Public Schools. Joleen has worked tirelessly to support school nutrition at Valley City Public Schools – working through a variety of logistic issues that surfaced during that pandemic – from the rapidly changing availability of groceries to the changing prices. Joleen supports healthy eating in the classroom by providing nutrition lessons to students. Joleen manages the fruit and vegetable grant program, which provides students with the opportunity to snack on fruits and veggies! The food service program at Valley City Public Schools plays a very important role in public health, as 40% of the district’s families receive free or reduced lunches.
Trent Bitz is a Nurse Practitioner at Essentia Health in Valley City. Trent is an active member of the Behavioral Health Coalition. Trent supports public health by providing medication assisted treatment for individuals experiencing substance use disorders in our community and region. Trent understands how each of our agencies can work together to support public health and actively assists in developing better communication connections between the hospitals, clinics, jail, City-County Health District and other partners.
Colleen Jones is the Vice President of Clinical Services at CHI Mercy Health in Valley City. Colleen is a very strong community partner and member of the Behavioral Health Coalition. Colleen is actively working with the Healthy Brain Initiative to raise awareness and provide education on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Colleen has a strong interest in improving community health and makes sure that the work is done in a way to include and support all individuals. Colleen understands how each of our agencies can work together to support public health and actively assists in developing better communication connections between the hospitals, clinics, jail, City-County Health District and other partners.
“Congratulations to each of the 2022 Public Health Outstanding Service award recipients! Thank you for supporting our community and Barnes County. People need individuals like you who look out for their health and work to make things better here!” states Tom Overn, CCHD Board of Health Chair.