HBHE alumna wins School Health Champion award
| March 04, 2011 | |
Ellie Morris
Public health educator Ellie Morris, MPH, 2008 alumna of UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health’s Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, has received the School Health Champion Award for February 2011. Sponsored by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction and the N.C. State Board of Education, the award recognizes outstanding leadership in advancing school-based policies and programs to improve the health of N.C. students or state employees. Morris is the school health liaison with the Chatham County (N.C.) Public Health Department, working with the local school district and individual schools to develop programs and policies to promote health. “Since students and school staff members spend a good portion of their days at school,” she says, “it’s important for the school environment to support their well-being as much as possible. There is great potential for creative approaches to health promotion through these sorts of partnerships.” Morris was nominated by George Greger-Holt, director of student services for Chatham County Schools, and colleagues in the Community Health Promotion and Advocacy Division of the public health department. “Ellie has been the driving force behind several student and staff health initiatives, as well as a partner with Chatham County Schools on several wellness grants. Her expertise, leadership, enthusiasm and perseverance are vital to our success,” Gregor-Holt said. Morris said she was “surprised and excited” to receive the award and that “the accolades belong to folks working in Chatham County’s schools to promote health, including [Greger-Holt] and my supportive and creative colleagues.” Morris was awarded a plaque at the Feb. 19 Carolina men’s basketball game with Boston College and a $500 prize that will be used by the School Health Advisory Council to advance health-related efforts. She will advance into competition for the School Health Champion of the Year, to be selected in December.
Currently, Ms. Morris is working with Chatham County Schools on initiatives including Eat a Rainbow Week, Healthy Habits Campaign, and Just Push Play.
Local Subway franchisees and Tar Heel Sports Properties also support North Carolina’s School Health Champion awards.
UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health contact: Ramona DuBose, director of communications, (919) 966-7467 or ramona_dubose@unc.edu. |
