NorthIowaToday.com

Founded in 2010

News & Entertainment for Mason City, Clear Lake & the Entire North Iowa Region

Health Department nurse receives CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Award

MASON CITY – Bethany Bjorklund, RN, BSN, Immunization Nurse with the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health was named one of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2018 Childhood Immunization Champion Award recipients. Each state selects one nominee and Bethany was the award recipient for the state of Iowa.

The CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Award is an annual award given jointly by the CDC Foundation and the Iowa Department of Public Health that recognizes individuals who make a significant contribution toward improving public health through their work in childhood immunization. It honors those who are doing an exemplary job or going above and beyond to promote or foster childhood immunizations in their communities.

Bethany was nominated for her collaborative work with area agencies, leadership in providing education about immunizations to parents and caregivers, innovation in developing strategies to increase immunization rates in difficult to reach populations, and advocacy in immunization policy. She also provided monthly immunization reminder letters for 11 different medical providers in three area counties. This contributed to Cerro Gordo County ranking first in the state of Iowa for childhood vaccination rates in 2016, with over 87% of two year olds being up-to-date on their immunizations (her own child being one of them).

“Bethany is very passionate about her work in childhood vaccination, which is clearly demonstrated by the rankings we have achieved,” said Jodi Willemsen, Acute Infectious Disease, Epidemiology, and Preparedness Service Manager at the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health. “She has developed strong partnerships with area clinics and provides education to parents, medical providers, and childcare centers to ensure children are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.”

Bethany has been the Immunization Nurse at the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health for four years but has been working with immunizations for 6 years.

Bethany will be recognized during National Infant Immunization Week, April 21-28, 2018.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

1 Comment
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Even more news:

Copyright 2024 – Internet Marketing Pros. of Iowa, Inc.
1
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x