2011 Champions of Health Professions Diversity Award
For: Commitment to increasing California’s health care workforce and its diversity.
By: The California Wellness Foundation
Winners: Charles J. Alexander, Ph.D. who oversees Academic Advancement Programs, including peer learning, mentoring, academic advising, scholarships, and research opportunities; Jose Ramon Fernandez-Pena, M.D., M.P.A., founded the Welcome Back Initiative (WBI) which assists foreign-trained health professionals overcome licensing barriers and employment in the United States health sector; and John T. Matsui, Ph.D., who for almost 20 years has been advocating for increasing the access to higher education among all individuals, but particularly those from underrepresented and underserved groups.
Corporation for National and Community Service Awards
For: Disaster Services
Winners: Norman Moeller, Missoula Aging Services RSVP, Through his efforts, he helped make 22,000 immunizations possible; The American Red Cross Ready! Tennessee Rural Initiative, for work during the May 2010 floods in Tennessee.
For: Economic Opportunity
Winner: ReSOURCE YouthBuild. Young people in the program have engaged in marketing and recycling of building materials into everyday household goods.
For: Education.
Winners: Experience Corps, for engaging older adults to serve as academic mentors and tutors for school-aged children; Si Se Puede Learning Centers – The Cesar Chavez Foundation, students improved 78 percent in literature, 83 percent in math, 72 percent in behavior and 75 percent in attendance in the 2009-10 school year.
For: Environmental stewardship.
Winners: Earl Millett Jr., Grace Hill Settlement House AmeriCorps Ranger Project, Juliana Chosana Ko.
For: Veterans and military families.
Winner: RSVP VFW Post 1739.Contact: Corporation for National and Community Service, www.cns.gov.
