Awards
The Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council is proud to announce receipt of the following awards:2010 Joseph D. Greene Community Service Award from Healthcare Georgia Foundation
On March 31, 2010, Healthcare Georgia Foundation (HGF) announced the recipients of the Joseph D. Greene Community Service Award who were honored for their volunteer work and dedication to advancing health and health care across Georgia. The announcements took place during Connections 2010: Leadership in Difficult Economic Times: Connecting Resources and People, HGF's fourth convening of grantees, partners, and community leaders.
Part of this award included the opportunity for CCSNPC to designate a non-profit organization as the beneficiary of a $1000 gift from HGF. The Executive Committee of CCSNPC unanimously voted to name the Savannah Volunteer Dental Clinic as the recipient.
Responding to the limited availability of dental care for children in our area, Dr. Felix Maher was the driving force behind the establishment of this volunteer dental clinic for children where he serves as Dental Director. On May 30, 2008, the Savannah Volunteer Dental Clinic officially opened to see children every Friday morning. Through the end of 2009, this clinic had 548 patient encounters through the end of 2009. Volunteers recruited for this clinic include nine general dentists, six dental specialists, eight dental hygienists and six dental assistants. Students from Savannah Technical College, Armstrong Atlantic State University and the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry routinely assist with care.
The Department of Community Health has estimated that the value of the services provided through the end of 2009 exceeds $135,000. The clinic is funded through donations and gifts.
As a revered public leader and a founding board member, Joseph D. Greene helped steward the Healthcare Georgia Foundation from its inception in 1999 through his retirement as board chair in 2006. When Mr. Greene died in November 2007, the Foundation lost an inspirational leader. In 2008, Healthcare Georgia Foundation dedicated its community service award program in his honor, naming it the Joseph D. Greene Community Service Award.
Healthcare Georgia Foundation (HGF) is a Georgia based, statewide private independent foundation. HGF's mission is to advance the health of all Georgians and to expand access to affordable, quality healthcare for underserved individuals and communities.
For more information, please visit the Foundation online at: www.healthcaregeorgia.org.
2010 Georgia Trend Magazine County of Excellence
Chatham County was named a 2010 County of Excellence by Georgia Trend Magazine for its work with the Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council. The competition is sponsored by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) and Georgia Trend. Counties are encouraged to submit innovative ideas that are well carried out. Winners are selected by an independent panel of judges convened by ACCG.
ACCG Executive Director Jerry Griffith says the awards "showcase how counties are developing unique programs and facilities to meet the needs of their communities. This program provides a forum to celebrate their accomplishments and to inspire other local governments."
Chatham County was also named a 2007 County of Excellence for working with Step Up Savannah, the anti-poverty initiative. Step Up is a Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council partner and CCSNPC acts as the Step Up health care arm.
A memo from Chatham County Manager, Mr. Russ Abolt congratulating the County Commission and a copy of the article in Georgia Trends magazine can be found by clicking here.
Read More:
http://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/eric-curl/2010-03-23/chatham-recognized-county-wide-health-initiative
http://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/eric-curl/2010-05-17/chatham-commission-chairmans-state-county-address
