The Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) honored outstanding community leaders and health department staff as 2016 Public Health Heroes during the National Public Health Week (NPHW) celebration.  Public Health Heroes were celebrated for their many accomplishments in the community and in the area of public health.

“National Public Health Week is an excellent opportunity to engage the community and continue educating about the contributions of public health. Everyone can join exceptional leaders in their public health efforts and become a Public Health Hero committed to the health and safety of the people in Orange County,” said Dr. Kevin Sherin, director of the Florida Department of Health in Orange County. 

National Public Health Week was celebrated April 4–10, 2016 with the theme, “Healthiest Nation 2030”. Americans are living 20 years longer than their grandparents’ generation, thanks largely to the work of public health. Still, people in many other high income countries live longer and suffer fewer health issues than we do.  This generation can overcome this challenge and work to achieve the goal of making the U.S. the Healthiest Nation in One Generation by 2030.

In its 21^st year, National Public Health Week, sponsored by the American Public Health Association (APHA), seeks to educate the public, policy-makers, and public health professionals about issues important to improving public health. National Public Health Week was established in 1995 as a way to recognize the contributions of public health workers and the services they provide.

The Florida Department of Health in Orange County congratulates this year’s Public Health Heroes.