Two individuals and four local organizations were honored with the 2023 Dr. William Fitzsimmons Public Health Award for contributions to the health and well-being of Oak Park residents, village officials announced in a news release posted on the village website.
The village’s Board of Health and Department of Public Health present the annual awards in the categories of Community, Leadership and Health Equity, the release states. Community award winner Collaboration for Early Childhood contacted the Health Department during the pandemic and coordinated a weekly check-in with Director Theresa Chapple, resulting in multiple Oak Park early childhood programs being able to receive up-to-date COVID-19 guidance, the release states.
“The Live4Lali team’s dedication and concern for the residents in Oak Park experiencing substance use disorder is apparent in the extension of its programming into the community and the strength and number of collaborative relationships Live4Lali has formed with Oak Park community organizations,” officials stated in the release.
Community award winner Alicia Chastain, who is part of the leadership team of Illinois Stakeholders for Air Quality in Schools, helped to introduce a bill to improve clean air in all schools across Illinois and HB3713, to date, has passed the Illinois House, the release states.