2004 Public Health Genius Award Winners
2004 Exceptional Achievement Award
2004 Genius Award
Billy Russo
Billy Russo, founder of Ruby House and Executive Director of the HIV Resource Center in Roseburg, Oregon is the recipient of the Community Health Partnership 2004 Genius Award.
In the words of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, “When others saw a “situation,” Billy saw the need and stepped forward to affect positive change.” In 1988, Billy created Ruby House, a Level III foster care facility for people with HIV. For the first few years of the center’s existence, Billy supported the operation without outside funding and waived his salary when funding became available. In 1998, with the introduction of powerful new HIV/AIDS therapies, the focus on end-of-life care changed to outreach and prevention. Ruby House was closed and the HIV Resource Center was born and nurtured. The center formalized its outreach and prevention efforts into many vital and effective programs that continue to serve the community: health education and risk reduction to the injection drug-user community, including syringe exchange as well as outreach to the gay, bi-sexual and transgender communities; expansion of HIV testing, counseling and condom distribution to high-risk individuals; and the provision of a lending library, computer access and conference room availability for community groups. The center services three rural Oregon counties – Douglas, Coos and Curry – and in addition to outreach and prevention services provides comprehensive case management to those living with HIV. Supporters conclude “because of Billy’s integrity and tenacity, service to the HIV and at-risk population has been uninterrupted since 1988.” Billy Russo was nominated by Robert Furlow, Executive Director of the Douglas County Health Department.
2004 Exceptional Achievement Award
Laurie Ernstrom and Robin Stanton
Laurie Ernstrom and Robin Stanton of Pleasant Valley Elementary School (Centennial District, Gresham, Oregon) share the 2004 Exceptional Achievement Award.
Laurie, the school’s principal and Robin, a school parent and registered dietician, lead the Pleasant Valley Health Council with the goal of creating meaningful change in the school environment to promote the health enhancing behavior of children. Laurie and Robin received a small grant from the Healthy Kids Learn Better state program office and developed community partnerships to address the physical, social and emotional needs of students, improving their potential to learn. Laurie and Robin engaged school staff, parents and community partners in a comprehensive planning process that ultimately created an action plan for addressing their school’s identified priorities: physical activity, healthy eating and safety.
Their dedication to improving children’s health has resulted in tangible changes in the school meal and physical education programs, increased bike-helmet use, and increased safety awareness across the community. The award recipients were nominated by Jess Lawrence of the Oregon Department of Education.
2004 Merit Award
Josephina Rodriguez de Yemane-Berhane, RN
As Director of Futuro Sano and Cultural Liaison to the Latino community for Silverton Hospital, Josephina has built the capacity of Latino students to enter the health care professions, advocated for workforce development within the health care setting, and worked to assure access to care and reduce health disparities among minority populations. In her present role, Josephina has created a program to train lay health professionals, promotoras, to provide culturally specific diabetes programs as well as advised numerous organizations, including Linfield School of Nursing, to build the diversity of their student body and health institutions in the future. Josephina was nominated by Mary Lou Cornejo of the Oregon State University Extension Service in Marion County, Oregon.
National Association of Hispanic Nurses - Oregon Chapter
