Annual Awards

Each year since 2000, the Healthy Start Coalition presents Annual Awards to recognize outstanding contributors to the protection of prenatal and infant health in our community. Past recipients are listed here. Thanks and congratulations to all the award-winners!

Volunteer of the Year

Presented annually to the individual or group whose contributions or achievements have been of significant support to families during pregnancy and/or their child's first three years.

• 2006 St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church
• 2005 Mothers Helping Mothers
• 2004 Chip Schaaff. Here is a nice article from The Florida Catholic about Chip.
• 2003 Sarasota Council of Concern
• 2002 The Presbyterian Woman of the Church of the Palms
• 2001 Merle Dimino
• 2000 Mrs. Bea Funkhouser

Journalist of the Year

Presented annually to the journalist in print or broadcast media whose coverage best supported the health of pregnant women and young children through consistent, accessible and focused news and/or feature articles.

• 2004 Sheryl Greene, ABC-7 WWSB TV
• 2003 Peggi Paquette, Venice Gondolier-Sun
• 2002 Heidi Godman
• 2001 Barbara Peters Smith
• 2000 Channel 40 News Team

Community Partner of the Year

Presented annually to the local agency whose collaboration with the Healthy Start Coalition contributed significant support and resources for service enhancement to pregnant women and young children.

• 2006 Jackson Hewitt Technology Services, LLC
• 2005 Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System
• 2004 Downtown Sarasota Kiwanis Club
• 2003 Healthy Families of Sarasota
• 2002 DeHaven Construction, Inc.
• 2001 Children First
• 2000 Forty Carrots Parenting Center

Healthy Start Family of the Year

Presented annually to a Healthy Start client whose story exemplifies use of the Healthy Start system of support.

• 206 Cara D'Antonio
• 2005 Melissa Sartori
• 2004 Lucia Avalos
• 2003 Kerri Routledge
• 2002 Johanna Rauwhorst
• 2001 Maria Luisa
• 2000 Danielle Gonzalez

The Lawton Chiles Award

Presented annually to the individual whose contributions to prenatal and early child health in Sarasota County are characterized by exceptional commitment, wisdom, leadership, and vision.

• 2006 Katherine Keeley, MD, FAAP
• 2005 Hal Hedley
• 2004 Mark Perlman
• 2003 Bill Little
• 2002 Washington Hill, M.D.
• 2001 Caryn Driscoll
• 2000 Norman Goldstein, M.D.

Special Award

Bonnie Seymore, ARNP, (right) was recognized in May, 2004, for the valuable and conscientious care she provides to Healthy Start clients. Bonnie, who works with Corcoran, Easterling and Doyle-Vallery Ltd., is pictured with Shelly Rence, Healthy Start Program Coordinator with the Sarasota County Health Department.

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