CELESTE SAVAGE HONORED AS 2015 OUTSTANDING PUBLIC HEALTH LEADER

(Salisbury, MD.) Celeste Savage from Hope and Life Outreach (HALO) Ministries was recognized as the 2015 Outstanding Public Health Leader for Wicomico County at a ceremony held April 7, 2015 at the Fritz Health Center in Salisbury. The 19th annual award ceremony was held in recognition of National Public Health Week, April 6-12, 2015.

Mrs. Savage was recognized for working cooperatively with community partners and volunteers to provide food and shelter for the vulnerable homeless and poor in our community. HALO’s Café serves three meals a day to those who need it and operates a day facility with children’s room. HALO also runs a women’s and children’s shelter, and this past winter opened a much needed men’s shelter. Mrs. Savage continually brings in outreach services to help people get the aid they need, whether the need is food stamps, alcohol and drug counseling, veteran’s benefits, or job training.

“The Wicomico County Health Department is proud to work collaboratively with HALO, through the coordination of Mrs. Savage,” said Lori Brewster, Health Officer for Wicomico County. “She is an example to all of us in how to care for those in need.”

Mrs. Savage is to be commended for her efforts to significantly improve the health of the most vulnerable in Wicomico County and for her accomplishment on being recognized as Wicomico County's 2015 Outstanding Public Health Leader. Several members of the HALO team were present for the awards ceremony and Mrs. Savage graciously recognized each of them for the work they do every day.

In addition to The Public Health Leader award, two Health Officer’s Awards of Excellence, employee years of service and the 2014 Wicomico Health Employee of the Year awards were presented. Tammy Griffin, Dennis DiCintio and Brenda Williams were recognized for the countless hours spent working on public health accreditation for the health department. Maryland Children’s Health Program staff members Jasmine Carroll, Julie Marriner, Cindy Odoom and Tama Macer were recognized for assisting residents in the completion of Medicaid applications not completed through the Health Benefits Exchange. Nancy Tyre from Targeted Case Management was recognized as the Wicomico County Health Department Employee of the Year for 2014. Please join me in recognizing each awardee for their dedication to the community.