Pertussis (whooping cough) is the only disease on the rise that can be prevented through vaccination. Adolescents and adults account for half the reported cases of pertussis. They are often the ones to spread the disease to young infants. Learn more.
The immunization Leadership Award recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated outstanding leadership and dedication to immunization activities in Washington and beyond.
2007 Recipient:
Cynthia Shurtleff demonstrates an unprecedented level of commitment to protecting Washington’s children and families from vaccine preventable diseases. As founding IACW Chair, Cynthia’s leadership and enthusiasm helps maintain the momentum of the Coalition while bringing new members, partners and support to the work.
Cynthia’s involvement in statewide immunization promotion and advocacy reaches beyond the IACW. She serves on the WithinReach Board of Directors, the CHILD Profile Advisory Group and participates in policy work with the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Cynthia strives to ensure that parents, providers, legislators, and others have access to accurate immunization information so they can make informed immunization decisions. She always seeks creative solutions and new approaches in her work.
Cynthia is a tireless immunization advocate, working to protect our communities from vaccine preventable disease while making sure resources and policies are in place to foster the best possible health outcomes.
The IACW Advocate Award honors an individual or organization that has given tremendous amounts of time and been successful while making special efforts to enhance immunizations.
2007 Recipient:
Dr. Jay Fathi has been a volunteer with the IACW for the past 4 years. Under his leadership as Chair of the Healthcare Provider Awareness Committee, the IACW successfully completed many provider outreach activities including; mailings to providers addressing parents concerns about vaccines, professional journal on varicella and 4th DTaP, posters about the benefits of breastfeeding and immunization, and yearly distribution of laminated pocket-sized recommended immunization schedules.
Dr. Fathi works to affect policy change and increase immunization knowledge within the community and the medical profession. In addition, he serves on the State of Washington’s Vaccine Advisory Committee. It is through these activities and his enthusiasm, dedication, and knowledge of immunization issues that Dr. Fathi exemplifies the IACW Advocate Award.
Dr. Fathi serves as Chief of Family Medicine at Swedish Medical Center, is a physician at the 45th Street Community Health Clinic, and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Washington, School of Medicine.
The IACW Collaborator Award is given to an individual or organization that has impacted their community through collaboration to help promote, educate, and increase immunization levels.
2007 Recipient:
Qualis Health is a private, non-profit healthcare quality improvement organization that has been a member of the IACW for years. Staff from the organization including, Dr. Les Barnette, Co-Chair of the Adult Immunization Committee, as well as Michelle Ledeen, Nancy West, and others participate actively on the Adult Immunization Committee. Qualis Health has provided a great deal of in-kind support to adult immunization projects such as the 2006 Pneumococcal Campaign and the 2004 & 2005 Helping Promote Influenza Immunization among Health Care Workers Toolkits. Qualis Health is a great partner in promoting and increasing immunization in Washington.
The Asian Pacific Islander (API) Hepatitis B Award recognizes an individual or organization that has shown leadership and a commitment to raising awareness about hepatitis B in the API Community.
2008 Recipient:
At the 2008 API Hepatitis B Community Forum, the API Hepatitis B Task Force award was presented to the International Community Health Services (ICHS). As the largest API community health center in Washington State, ICHS has been an active partner with the Task Force in planning, coordinating, and delivering hepatitis B services, including educational materials and community screenings. We are pleased to recognize their dedication to improving the health of the API community.
