County recognizes champions of public health

The Health and Human Ser­vices Agency’s 2025 Live Well San Diego Public Health Cham­pion Awards Ceremony was held on Friday, April 11. This year, 14 local people and orga­nizations were honored for their extraordinary achievements in promoting and protecting the health of all San Diegans.

The Public Health Champions awards ceremony is held each year during National Public Health Week, a time when com­munities nationwide emphasize the importance of improving overall public health. Over its last 24 years in San Diego, the awards ceremony has recog­nized nearly 500 Public Health Champions.

Kimberly Giardina, deputy chief administrative officer for the County’s Health and Hu­man Services Agency, kicked off this year’s event, along with Dr. Ankita Kadakia, Interim Pub­lic Health Officer and Eliza­beth Hernandez, P.H.D., Public Health Director.

This year’s theme was “It Starts Here,” focusing on the places we live, work, and play. From clean air and water to strong relationships and safe communities, public health is about creating a foundation for healthier lives.

The five areas of priority that support this year’s theme are It Starts Here: Your Health is Our Mission, Climate Action Starts Here: Championing Resilience for Health, Health Equity Starts Here: Optimizing Health for All, Advocacy Starts Here: Amplify­ing Voices for Public Health and The Future of Public Health Starts Here: Strengthening the Public Health Workforce.

The Public Health Champions award categories included Di­rector’s Awards; Public Health Services Awards for individu­als and organizations; and Ag­ing and Independence Services, Medical Care Services and Re­gional Awards.

The ceremony was designed to showcase the strength of lo­cal public/private partnerships in achieving the best health and wellness outcomes for the region’s diverse population.

DIRECTOR’S AWARD

SHARIA’S CLOSET

Sharia’s Closet is a San Diego-based nonprofit that has provid­ed since 2013 free, emergency clothing and hygiene products to nearly 50,000 individuals and families in immediate need be­cause of a financial hardship or crisis.

Foundation for Senior Care

Based in Fallbrook, the Foun­dation for Senior Care has been committed to supporting the physical and mental well-being of the community since 1979, with a focus on older adults and adults living with disabilities in rural San Diego. The Foun­dation’s Senior and Disabled Transportation program pro­vides 5,000 rides annually to older adults and adults living with disabilities in the greater Fallbrook area.

PUBLIC HEALTH

SERVICES AWARDS

Veronica Whitehorse

Registered Nurse Veronica Whitehorse is a 20- year health­care professional and a lifeline to the American Indian and Alaska Native community in San Diego County. As an Indig­enous nurse and advocate, she embodies culturally competent care, ensuring patients not only receive medical attention but are also seen, heard, and valued in their traditions, identities, and lived experiences. White­horse is committed to public health, disease prevention, and community wellness.

Dr. Antoinette Marengo

Dr. Antoinette Marengo is a dedicated advocate for health equity and has spent 20 years as a physician providing ac­cessible, quality reproductive health care for women in San Diego, Riverside and Imperial counties. Dr. Marengo leads mentorship and training pro­grams in clinical care excel­lence, and is chair-elect for the American College of OBGYNs, the largest organization of OB­GYN physicians in the country. Dr. Marengo also served as a staff obstetrician and gynecolo­gist at Navy Medical Center San Diego.

Organization – DHA Immu­nization Healthcare Division, Pacific Region Team

The Defense Health Agency Immunization Healthcare Di­vision, Pacific Region Team, supports all military-related immunization care in Cali­fornia, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, Japan and South Korea, with a spe­cial focus on San Diego County. The DHA team supports the safe transportation, delivery, storage, handling, preparation, administration, documentation, and follow-up of the more than 20,000 vaccines administered monthly at more than 40 mili­tary immunization clinics in San Diego.

Theme – April A. Fernandez

April Fernandez has spent 30 years in public health manage­ment with a focus on Binational Border Health at the California Department of Public Health. She has been a driving force in advancing cross-border health initiatives by connecting pub­lic health agencies, non-profits, academia and local commu­nities to address the unique health challenges of border populations. Fernández’ work has strengthened cross-border partnerships, enhancing public health strategies in both na­tions.

REGIONAL AWARDS

North Coastal – Gaby B. Love

Gabriela “Gaby” Beas Love has spent more than 29 years serving vulnerable communities and is currently providing aca­demic support, social services and leadership opportunities for students and their families at MiraCosta College. Love is dedicated to helping marginal­ized communities realize their potential, encouraging them to access higher education and discover all that is available to them via certificate and voca­tional programs, Associates of Arts (AA) degrees, and beyond.

NORTH INLAND – BACK­COUNTRY COMMUNITIES THRIVING

Backcountry Communities Thriving is a nonprofit orga­nization dedicated to building partnerships with groups and organizations to bring services to San Diego’s rural, agricul­tural and unincorporated com­munities. BCT ensured a North Inland food pantry received food deliveries and has coordinated presentations on Alzheimer’s disease, disaster and wildfire preparedness, as well as CPR training and fentanyl aware­ness. BCT also established the Rural Roundtable to unite community-based organizations in Julian, Ranchita, Borrego Springs, Warner Springs and Valley Center.

EAST COUNTY – DAVID R. SHOREY

David Shorey is a dedicated public health leader who has mobilized diverse groups to ad­vance environmental justice, human rights, and substance use prevention to improve the quality of life for vulnerable populations. His work directly influences policies, systems, and community practices to create safer, healthier environ­ments. Shorey also serves on the LGBTQ Advisory Council for the County Sheriff ’s office, advocating for equity and inclu­sion in public safety.

NORTH CENTRAL – SAN DIEGO MILITARY FAMILY COLLABORATIVE

The San Diego Military Fam­ily Collaborative (SDMFC) sup­ports and strengthens the mili­tary community through educa­tion, advocacy, communication and engagement. SDMFC works to make critical programs, re­sources, and information easy to navigate and access, and pro­vides a network of support for active duty, reservists, veterans, their families.

Reprinted courtesy San Diego County Office of Communications.