On this Monday before Thanksgiving, the Knox County Health Department joins “Research! America” and other leading organizations to recognize the public health workforce for their devotion to protecting and improving the health of all Americans.
Public Health Thank You Day 2021 honors the tremendous resilience and commitment to keeping our communities healthy throughout the largest public health crisis of our lifetimes. With strength and resolve, those in the public health field have worked to keep families free from infectious diseases like COVID-19, to prevent and treat injuries, to continue vaccinations, to respond to emergencies, to continue to provide nutrition assistance, and health resources to families, and much more.
The special day gives gratitude to nurses who help prevent and control disease spread; community health center workers who address barriers in access to health care; environmental health inspectors for ensuring food and environmental safety, health educators who share accurate information, support and administration staff, and so many others working to promote and protect the health of the public.
“COVID-19 has tested the public health workforce like no other time in recent history. Please join us to express our gratitude for all the ways they persevere to secure the public good and prepare to meet future health threats,” states Michele Gabriel, Public Health Administrator for the Knox County Health Department.
“I have the privilege and honor to work with dedicated, hard-working public health staff that have persevered through very difficult times in the past two years, said Gabriel. “Public Health staff have worked tirelessly to promote and protect the health of our residents, and I appreciate their commitment and willingness to pivot when change is needed.
Additionally, in recognition of Public Health Thank You Day, the Knox County Board of Health, as well as Health Department staff would like to extend a special thank you to the many Public Health System partners in our community who have joined the Department in efforts over the past two years to protect and improve the overall health of Knox County residents. The Health Department is very aware, and very appreciative, that many of the public health successes experienced by the Knox County community would not have been possible without the collaboration of our many, many partners and collaborators tirelessly working alongside with us over the years; but, particularly throughout the COVID-9 pandemic thus far. The Knox County Health Department looks forward to many more years of collaborating with our partners to achieve a healthier Knox County.
Please join the Knox County Board of Health and the staff of the Knox County Health Department in recognizing the important work of these public health heroes; and extend a special thank you to each of them for their contribution to your health. For more information about the Knox County Health Department and its public health system partners call 309.344.2224.
***Report Courtesy of the Knox County Health Department***
