Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation presents 2009 Community Health Leaders Award
to Frances Stout, R.N., for her work to address the needs of elderly
Native Americans
PRINCETON,
NJ The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) today announced
its selection of Frances Stout, a retired registered nurse and chairperson
of the Tohono O'odham Nursing Care Authority (TONCA) in Sells, Ariz.,
to receive a Community Health Leaders Award. She is one of 10 extraordinary
Americans who will receive the RWJF honor for 2009 at a ceremony
this evening at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Stout
helped to establish the first skilled nursing facility for elderly
Native Americans for the Tohono O'odham Nation, a federally recognized
Indian tribe. Previously, the elderly had to leave the reservation
for skilled nursing care. With the benefit of her 33-year nursing
career, Stout contributed to the creation of the 60-bed skilled
nursing facility, the first of its kind on the Tohono O'odham Nation
reservation. She has also helped to create the elder care consortium,
a coalition of entities within the Tohono O'odham Nation that are
working to address the wide-ranging issues affecting elderly Native
Americans, including transportation, housing and safety.
"Frances
Stout had already spent a lifetime providing health care for people
as a nurse," said Janice Ford Griffin, national program director
for the award. "After she retired, she found a new calling
working to address the health care needs of aging Native Americans
within her own tribe, the Tohono O'odham Nation."
This
year, more than 532 nominations were submitted for the 2009 Community
Health Leaders Award from across the United States. Through a rigorous
process, the Foundation selected 10 outstanding individuals, all
of whom have worked to improve health conditions in their communities
with exceptional creativity, courage and commitment.
"I
am deeply honored by this award, and I hope it brings attention
to the plight of our elderly and the challenges we face on Indian
reservations," said Stout. "I share this award with all
of the TONCA board members and the Legislative Council of the Nation
who had the passion and courage to pursue such an ambitious and
important project."
The
chair of the San Xavier District of the Tohono O'odham Nation, Austin
Nunez, said that Stout essentially launched a second career by agreeing
to serve as vice chair of the San Xavier District Council Health
Committee. "It is not simply her skill set that makes her irreplaceable,
but also her passion to improve the health of our O'odham people,
and to commit herself and others to that task," Nunez said.
The
award honors exceptional men and women from all over the country
who overcome significant obstacles to tackle some of the most challenging
health and health care problems facing their communities and the
nation. The Community Health Leaders Award elevates the work of
the leaders by raising awareness of their extraordinary contributions
through national visibility, a $125,000 award and networking opportunities.
There
are nine other 2009 Community Health Leaders in addition to Stout.
Their work includes oral health services for remote communities;
self-directed care for persons with physical disabilities; a marriage
between health care and legal aid; care for victims of torture;
culturally sensitive and appropriate health care for Cambodian-American
immigrants; low-cost family planning and health care for men and
boys; a mentoring program to help disadvantaged youth pursue health
careers; and mental health services for the underserved.
Since
1993 the program has honored more than 160 Community Health Leaders
in nearly every state, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
Nominations may be submitted for the 2010 Community Health Leaders
Award through October 15, 2009. For details on how to submit a nomination,
including eligibility requirements and selection criteria, visit
www.communityhealthleaders.org.
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The
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) established the Community
Health Leaders (CHL) Award to recognize individuals who overcome
daunting obstacles to improve health and health care in their communities.
Today, there are 173 outstanding Community Health Leaders in nearly
all states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. For more information,
visit www.communityhealthleaders.org.
The
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and
health care issues facing our country. As the nation's largest philanthropy
devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all
Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations
and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive,
meaningful and timely change. For more than 35 years, the Foundation
has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach
to the problems that affect the health and health care of those
it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives
and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference
in your lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.
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