Although there are many who dedicate their lives to bettering the health of the community, a few standouts were recently recognized for their efforts.
The Healthier You Awards, co-hosted by The Prince George Citizen, Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond, Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society executive director Baljit Sethi and Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, were handed out at a banquet dinner at the Ramada Hotel Friday night.
"We decided we wanted to honour healthcare professionals in the north," said Bond. "We wanted to have their story told."
Ten awards were handed out to individuals, companies or organizations who have been working to enhance health and wellness in Prince George and the rest of northern B.C.
An enthusiastic crowd of nominees and supporters cheered their way through the award presentations and appreciative winners took to the podium to express their gratitude.
"This is the first time in my life I'm actually speechless," said Dr. Travis Morgan, as he accepted his award for Health and Wellness Innovator of the Year. Morgan was selected for expanding his chiropractor practice and developing the Live Fit program, which includes seminars, workshops and nutrition planning to help his patients achieve a higher standard of overall health.
The Prince George native said the program was brought about by the death of a patient with a special needs son. "Ever since then, I've been trying to get something together so that little boy didn't have doesn't have it happen again," Morgan said.
Also looking out for the well-being of young people was the Canadian Cancer Society, Northern Region BCY, who took home the Youth Initiative of the Year award for their Tanning is Out campaign. Launched in the spring, it engaged students leaders from eight northern region high schools to raise awareness about the dangers of indoor tanning.
"We came up with the idea, but it was really the youth in the high schools that make it take off," said Kara Perdue, who accepted the award with fellow volunteer Deanna Kerrigan. "When we started the campaign, we thought maybe we'd get 30 per cent [of students]." But by the end of the tan-free grad campaign, an average of 81 per cent of the registered Grade 12 students pledged to protect themselves from the U.V. radiation.
Embracing the natural warmth in Prince George was Dr. Sarah Gray, an assistant professor in the Northern Medical Program. Gray took home the Research Award for her work in the study of obesity and Type 2 diabetes, which she started four years ago.
"I was overwhelmed with the warmth and interest the community has shown for the program," Gray said.
The award for Outstanding Multicultural Contribution went to its sole nominee, the Canadian Diabetes Association and its northern region branch coordinator Boyanne Young.
"This award is very special because everybody does their job," said Sethi who presented the award, "but reaching those people who can't access these services [due to cultural and language barriers] is important work."
As the only full-time staff member for the association in Northern B.C., Young was recognized for going above and beyond her mandate to reach out to aboriginal and south Asian communities.
"I'm very honoured to receive this nomination on behalf of the Canadian Diabetes Association," Young said. "But more than that, I'm honoured to be working with people like Baljit."
The evening's other winners were Paul Smith for Health and Wellness Advocate of the Year, Family YMCA of Prince George for Seniors Initiative of the Year, Dr. Suzanne Johnston for First Nations Initiative of the Year, Canadian Red Cross Society for Health and Wellness Provider of the Year, University Hospital of Northern B.C. for Technology in Healthcare and the Diabetes Education Centre for Health and Wellness Educator of the Year.
"I know we have more work to do, but we can stop and say, 'thank you,'" Bond said.
