The Florida Department of Health in Orange County celebrates the recipients of the National Minority Health Month, 2016...Public Health Equity Heroes and the Dr. Alfred L. Bookhardt Award”.

Congratulations to the Public Health Equity Heroes:

Karen Wint, Center for Multicultural Wellness and Prevention

Maureen Kersmarski, Founding member and chair of PCAN

Jennie Joseph, Commonsense Childbirth, Inc.

Dr. Laureen Joseph, Vanguard Group, Inc.

Dr. Marie Jose- Francois, Center for Multicultural Wellness and Prevention

Congratulations to the Dr. Alfred L. Bookhardt Health Equity Award winner:

Dr. Maurice W. Mascoe, President of the Central Florida Medical Society

Mrs. Bookhardt was in attendance during the ceremony.

The Dr. Alfred L. Bookhardt  Health Equity Award honors Dr. Alfred L. Bookhardt (1928-2014) who began his medical practice in Orlando during the Civil Rights movement. He treated African American patients who were refused care by white physicians. He also co-founded the Central Florida Medical Society and Guardian Care, the first long term care facility in Orlando for African  Americans.

This annual award for Health Equity was created by the Florida Department of Health in Orange County as a way of recognizing an Orange County physician for their dedication and commitment to increasing access to healthcare with a goal of achieving health equity in Central Florida.

The Public Health Equity Hero Award serves as a mechanism to honor and recognize those very special individuals who work every day to improve the lives of the Orange County residents and visitors.  These heroes  personify the spirit of public health through commitment to accelerating health equity throughout the community and in turn helping us become the healthiest nation by 2030.