Maternal and Child

Health Coalition

of Greater Kansas City

Press Release

Contact: Cesar Motts FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Cell # 785.979.6353 December 5, 2005

Local Immunization Heroes Recognized

Kansas City, MO- The Mid-America Immunization Coalition will host an Annual Immunization Awards Meeting on December 7, 2005 at the Kansas City Missouri Health Department (2400 Troost Ave, Kansas City) from 9am to 10:30 am. The Coalition will present an award to the following individuals for their leadership in promoting immunizations:

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sibelius will receive the Leadership Award for her efforts in raising the immunization rates of Kansas children by establishing the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Immunizations and the “Immunize and Win a Prize” program. The award will be hand-delivered to her office.

Sue Denny from Missouri Department of Health and Human Services will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for her commitment and contributions to advancing the awareness of immunizations in the Kansas City area. Kansas Immunization Program’s “Kan Bee Done by One” will receive the Innovation Award as a model for an effective immunization program.

Angie Knacksteadt from Children’s Mercy Hospital will receive the Excellence in Education Award for her effort in coordinating educational events, including the immunization symposium in June 2005. Dr Mary Anne Jackson and Dr Daryl Lynch from Children’s Mercy Hospital will receive the Leadership in Education and Advocacy Award for their long-time assistance in providing education and never-ending quest to keep children immunized.

TLC Pediatrics, Priority Care Pediatrics LLC, Lees Summit Physician Group, Cockerell and McIntosh, and Cradle thru College Care will receive the Excellence in Immunization Practices Award.

The Mid-America Immunization Coalition, a program of the Maternal and Child Health Coalition, works to protect all of Greater Kansas City’s residents against vaccine-preventable diseases through collaboration, advocacy, and education.

Maternal and Child Health Coalition promotes the health of mothers and children through community planning, education, advocacy and collaboration with organizations addressing infant mortality, immunization, childhood obesity, maternal health and child safety. For more information about this immunization awards meeting, please contact Cesar Motts at Maternal and Child Health Coalition, 6400 Prospect, Suite 216, Kansas City, Missouri, 64132, office phone (816) 283-6242, ext. 249. Interviews are available upon request. Photos will be available at http://www.mchc.net/PressReleases.htm

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