SAULT STE. MARIE -- Algoma Public Health is recognizing 'Public Health Champions,' teams and individuals nominated by their peers for their contributions to health and safety.
Leila Macumber, community wellness manager in Serpent River, has been chosen as the 'Health Protection Champion,' which came as a surprise to her as she was unaware of her nomination.
“I definitely did not do all of this work alone, and I have to show my appreciation for the staff that I work with every day -- within the health unit, as well as the political office and everyone that was involved in the response to the pandemic so far,” said Macumber, who admitted to being emotional about her win.
Sault Ste Marie Mayor Christian Provenzano was honoured for increasing awareness, motivating people to follow health guidelines, and combating misinformation. He’s been awarded the 'Amplifier Champion.'
“Really, what I’d like to do is recognize everybody else that has contributed to our collective, communal fight against COVID-19,” Provenzano said. “Sault Ste Marie and Algoma is one of the safest places to live in the Province of Ontario, and frankly, that’s because of the community. It’s because of a lot of people doing a lot of great work, including the staff at APH.”
Algoma University’s Student Success and Advancement Team is the recipient of the 'Mental Health and Wellness Champion' designation, specifically for its Student Emergency Fund.
“Overwhelmingly, students identified that they were really in a financial crisis,” said Karen Hudson, manager of Student Success and Well-being. “So, the student success and Advancement Team worked amazingly together with the community and created the Student Emergency Fund to contribute directly to our students to help them with that impact on financial concerns.”
The medical officer of health, Algoma Public Health staff and board members are among those tasked with sifting through the nominations to select this year’s public health champions.
