Do you know someone working to improve the health of your community?
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is calling for nominations for its 2011 Award for Excellence in Health Promotion. Introduced in 2003, this award recognizes those outside the health sector who have made a significant contribution toward a healthy population and a healthy community.
"We tend to think of progress in improving the health of Canadians in terms of big breakthroughs like revolutionary new drugs or surgical procedures, but initiatives with goals such as encouraging people to exercise, eat well or improve a community's' wellness can have a huge effect," says Dr. Rhonda Church, chair of the CMA Council on Health Care and Promotion. "These types of initiatives need to be nurtured and encouraged; that's why the CMA started this award."
Past winners are: John Stanton, President and founder of Running Room (2010), Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (2009), Club des petits déjeuners du Québec (2008), Kids Eat Smart Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (2007), MADD Canada (2006), Blue Nose International Marathon Organizing Committee (2005), Halifax Chamber of Commerce (2004) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (2003).
Health professionals or those employed in the health sector are not eligible for this award. We welcome nominations from individual Canadians, and organizations that operate outside of the health sector.
The deadline for nominations for the 2011 Award is Nov. 30 2010. The nomination form and further information on the Award can be found at http://www.cma.ca/health-promotion or by calling 1-800-663-7336 x 2329.