Awards and Honors

In the May 2017 issue, we highlight the following honors and recognitions.

Captain Don Rogers

Captain Rogers Selected for FBI National Academy

Captain Don Rogers was recently selected to attend the prestigious Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy. The FBI National Academy is highly competitive training specifically designed for leadership and executive development in law enforcement. A limited number of applicants are accepted per state and only 1% of law enforcement across the nation is selected to attend. Both Sheriff Jackson and Undersheriff Ridler have had the honor to attend this training previously.

Captain Rogers submitted his application to the FBI National Academy four years ago. He underwent the complete assessment process including a background investigation, supervisory references, and contacting FBI agents that he had worked with previously.

Captain Rogers will attend the 10-week leadership and executive development training course this summer. Upon his return, Rogers will be able to use his experience in day-to-day patrol operations and continue to improve his service to the community as a highly-trained, valued leader within the Sheriff’s Office.

Tatiana Dierwechter speaking at the Benton County Public Health Awards & Recognition Event, held on April 12, 2017 in commemoration of National Public Health Week.

Dierwechter receives Preceptor Impact Award from OSU College of Public Health & Human Services

Tatiana Dierwechter, Benton County Healthy Communities Program Manager, received the 2017 Preceptor Impact Award at Oregon State University’s College of Public Health and Human Sciences annual Ovation event.

This Preceptor Impact Award recognizes individuals who best personify the spirit of the College of Public Health and Human Sciences through significant, meaningful and sustained impact of their service and contributions that benefit the career development of College of Public Health and Human Sciences students.

The College of Public Health and Human Sciences stresses “real-world” student internships as a key component of their overall public health curriculum. These hands-on experiences are designed for the students to apply their academic skills and learn new ones through work inside of a public, private or non-profit organization doing public health work.

Dierwechter was recognized as an exemplar of consistent, high-quality intern preceptorship and mentoring of Oregon State students. She has worked with both undergraduate and graduate interns, adapting projects and expectations to provide every intern a valuable and meaningful experience to enhance their on-campus education. Many former interns have gone on to positions in many local and state public health departments as well as in the American Public Health Association, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and pursuit of higher degrees at universities throughout North America.

A former US Peace Corp Volunteer in the Solomon Islands and HIV prevention supervisor at the Wisconsin Division of Public Health, Dierwechter has served as the health policy and prevention manager for the Healthy Communities Program at Benton County Health Services for over 10 years. In this role, she has led the program during a transition from a traditional health promotion focus to a health policy and strategic planning unit that works to address the social determinants of health through community organizing and changing policies and systems that promote community health.

(L to R) Dr. Bruce Thomson, Benton County Medical Officer; Lisa Quick, Director of Health Services at Community Outreach, Inc.; Barbara Hanley, vice-chair of the Public Health Planning and Advisory Committee

Quick receives Sheldon Wagner Public Health Service Award

Lisa Quick, Director of Health Services at Community Outreach, Inc. (COI), in Corvallis, is the 2017 recipient of the Sheldon Wagner Public Health Service Award. Quick was honored at the annual Public Health Awards & Recognition Event.

The Benton County Health Department awards the Sheldon Wagner Public Health Service Award to acknowledge someone whose work embodies the spirit of compassion, dedication, achievement and commitment to improving public health. Lisa Quick has served as the Director of Health Services at Community Outreach Inc. (COI) for over 20 years and devoted the major part of her public health career to the uninsured and underinsured in Benton and Linn Counties.

Quick expanded the free medical clinic at COI from a one-room operation to a multi-site health clinic spanning Benton and Linn Counties. Through all the changes in health care and health insurance over the years, she has maintained space and services for vulnerable populations in need of health.

She is a public health catalyst in our community by bringing together a variety of health care providers.  Quick has led partnerships with specialists at the Corvallis Clinic, and with the pharmacy, laboratory and imaging at Samaritan Health Services.  She developed specialty services in diabetic education, psychiatry and gynecology, as well as a weekly physical therapy offering.

Quick finds satisfaction in solid programs and good outcomes, and intimately understands the plight of the medically vulnerable in our region. The Benton County Health Department is honored to recognize Lisa Quick for her dedication, compassion and commitment to improve the public health of Benton County.

The Sheldon Wagner Public Health Service Award was established in 2008 by the Benton County Public Health Planning and Advisory Committee and is named for Dr. Sheldon “Shag” Wagner, who served this area for many decades as a physician and passionate public health advocate.

(L to R) Dr. Connie Hume-Rodman, Clinical Services Director; Dr. Jeffrey Mull, Medical Director; Jenny Haubenreiser, Executive Director; Linda Reid, Nursing Services Director

Oregon State University Student Health Services leadership awarded Public Health Service Recognition

Oregon State Student Health Services serves as the medical home for all 25,000 OSU students and positively impacts the health of our communities through its routine work of preventing, detecting and treating both acute and chronic illnesses on campus, its crisis-related work during communicable disease outbreaks and strong community collaboration in planning for and averting other potential threats. At the annual Public Health Awards & Recognition Event, a special Public Health Service Recognition was awarded to Oregon State University Student Health Services leadership for its unwavering dedication to public health over the years. The Benton County Health Department warmly awarded this recognition to Jenny Haubenreiser, Executive Director; Linda Reid, Nursing Services Director; Dr. Jeffrey Mull, Medical Director; and, Dr. Connie Hume-Rodman, Clinical Services Director.

Commissioner Anne Schuster awarding Chief Operating Officer Dennis Aloia the Health in all Policies Award

Aloia receives Roger Irvin Health in all Policies Award

During his tenure as the county’s Chief Operating Officer, Dennis Aloia has fostered county-wide, cross-sector collaboration, working strategically to convene partners from the diverse sectors that shape the environments in which Benton County residents live, work, learn and play. Aloia's leadership in creating authentic engagement of stakeholders was notably seen in his support of the 2012-2017 Community Health Improvement Planning (CHIP) engagement processes, inclusive of community members, policy experts, advocates, the private sector and funders.

Aloia will leave a legacy for creating change by institutionalizing the “Health in All Policies” approach throughout Benton County government and permanently changing how departments relate to each other, how county decisions are made, and how resources are allocated to advance a healthy, livable and equitable Benton County.

The Roger Irvin Health in all Policies Award is named after former Public Works Director Roger Irvin who served the county for 35 years and collaborated on projects for the good of community health. The award was created to recognize a county employee who demonstrated commitment to integrating social, economic, and environmental goals to promote health, equity, and sustainability for our county. 2017 marks the second year this honor has been awarded.

(L to R) Tatiana Dierwechter, Healthy Communities Program Manager; Patty Parsons, Health Promotion Specialist; Mitch Anderson, Health Department Director

Parsons honored for Special Achievement

At the annual Public Health Awards & Recognition Event, commemorating National Public Health Week, Patty Parsons was recognized for special achievement. Parsons is a Health Promotion Specialist at Benton County Health Department credited with spearheading a holistic, systems approach to the work of the Health Department. Health Department Director Mitch Anderson and Healthy Communities Program Manager Tatiana Dierwechter gave emotional remarks about Parson’s innovation, commitment and leadership within the Health Department.  Parsons retired this spring after 15 years of service in the Health Department.