Release Date: September 17, 2009
Contact: Christine Patmon, Metro Health Public Relations Manager, 207-8638
City Manager Receives ICMA Award for Innovative Clinic Model
Good Health! at Goodwill selected for 2009 ICMA Program Excellence Award
The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) selected Good Health! at Goodwill as the recipient of the organization’s Program Excellence Award for Community Health & Safety.
ICMA leaders recognized City Manager Sheryl Sculley and the public health clinic concept during their 95th Annual Conference in Montréal, Québec, Canada, on September 13. ICMA's Annual Awards Program recognizes creative contributions to professional local government management. This year, a panel reviewed more than 125 nominations. Fourteen programs and individuals received awards with Good Health! at Goodwill being honored in the 50,000+ population category for Community Health & Safety.
“San Antonio is consistently on the leading edge with our growing medical and research community. This city’s commitment to public health is no different. We believe in innovative solutions that can maximize our resources, better serve our residents, and create opportunities for new and existing partners to share in community responsibilities,” said Sculley.
Under the leadership of the director of health, Dr. Fernando Guerra, Metro Health approached Goodwill Industries about a partnership that would co-locate and link preventive services with existing Goodwill resources for a similar client-customer base. The subsequent public-private partnership offers preventive health care services to underserved San Antonians, including those with limited or no health care insurance.
“At a time when our nation is confronted with a health care crisis, Good Health! at Goodwill can serve as a replicable model for communities attempting to care for the uninsured,” said Dr. Guerra. “We are honored that ICMA has chosen to recognize this program. And, I am even more enthused about its future potential through an expanded partnership with Bexar County and its University Health System.”
“This enterprise provides many individuals increased access to preventive health and education. We are excited that it has now led to onsite health services that will be provided by University at our Fredericksburg retail store. Our mission is to help change lives through the power of work and good health which leads to a stronger workforce. We are honored to be partners,” said Bob Dugas, president and CEO of Goodwill San Antonio.
Good Health! at Goodwill opened in March 2007, offering free or low-cost preventive services. Since then, public health nurses have delivered more than 12,000 immunizations at the clinic, which is located on the north central edge of San Antonio’s inner city at Loop 410 and Blanco Road.
For more information about Good Health! at Goodwill, contact Metro Health’s Immunization Division manager, Vivian Flores, at 207-8794. For information about ICMA or the awards program, visit http://icma.org/awards.
