DES MOINES — Iowa’s Healthiest State Initiative (HSI) announced today the 18 finalists for the inaugural HSI awards. Individuals, communities, schools and workplaces will be recognized for advancing efforts to improve the physical, social and emotional well-being of Iowans.
The finalists in the five categories include:
Individual:
Angela Drent, Sioux City
Ashley Christensen, Decorah
Erin Drinnin, Maxwell
Small workplace:
Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health, Mason City
Matthew 25, Cedar Rapids
The Foreign Candy Company, Inc., Hull
Community:
Ames
Cedar Rapids
Clive
Harlan
Mason City
Sioux City
Large workplace:
Des Moines University, Des Moines
Kemin Industries, Des Moines
Meredith Corporation, Des Moines
University of Iowa, Iowa City
Schools:
Fairview Elementary, Grinnell
Pierce Elementary, Cedar Rapids
“The Healthiest State Initiative is proud to recognize the work these finalists have been doing to improve the overall health and well-being of Iowans,” said Jami Haberl, Healthiest State Initiative executive director. “They have set a great example for other individuals, communities, schools and workplaces to emulate. We look forward to sharing their stories at the awards event.”
The winners will be announced at HSI’s inaugural award event on Feb. 15 from 5-7 pm at the Ron Pearson Center in West Des Moines. Each winner will be granted a monetary gift to continue their work focused on improving the health and well-being of their employees, students or citizens.
In addition to the awards, Jamie Pollard, director of athletics at Iowa State University, will deliver the keynote address at the event. Based upon his own experiences — a son who has battled cancer four times and his own health crisis in 2015 — Pollard will share an inspirational message on why health matters.
Purchase tickets today
Tickets for the Feb. 15 event are $25 for an individual or $190 for a table of eight. To purchase tickets and learn more about the event visit IowaHealthiestState.com.
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The Healthiest State Initiative is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization driven by the goal to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation. By engaging worksites, communities, schools, retail food, organizations, institutions and individuals, we can inspire Iowans and their communities to improve their health and happiness, and ultimately achieve our goal. For more information, visit www.iowahealthieststate.com.
