May 5, 2006

Panhandle Health District honors “Health Heroes”

Panhandle Health District announces the winners of its annual “Health Heroes” awards, honoring individuals, organizations and businesses on the basis of their work to work to protect, promote, and enhance the health of North Idaho citizens during calendar year 2005. Winners were selected from nominations from all five northern counties.

Board Chairman Marlow Thompson presented certificates to the winners at the health district’s April Board of Health meeting.

Two winners were selected for the honor in the adult category. They are Kay Kindig of Coeur d’Alene and Elaine Atkins of Naples. The Dirne Community Health Center in Coeur d’Alene was honored in the business/organization category.

Kay Kindig has been a long-time leader and activist promoting health in the community. She was instrumental in the formation of the Panhandle Public Health Foundation and currently serves as its director. The March of Dimes recognized her as a Nursing Legend in 2005. Kay assisted in getting the Dirne Community Health Center recognized as a federally qualified health center last year. Kay has served on the Kootenai County Board of Community Guardians for the past 15 years and volunteers for the Community Partnership on Aging. She also is the project t coordinator for the Kootenai Medical Center Nightingales, a group of retired volunteer nurses. Kay also has been an Ironman volunteer for the past three years and is an avid runner, competing in marathons and half-marathons.

Elaine Atkins has been a force behind nearly every health-related activity in Boundary County for many years. One of her most significant accomplishments has been to organize and implement the Boundary Community Hospital Health Fair. She also has been the community health manager and the occupational health manager for Boundary Community Hospital. She has served as the manager of the Life Line program in Boundary County. She has instructed first responders, students and the public in CPR, first aid and babysitting skills, and has volunteered at the Senior Center to check blood pressure and medications. Elaine is an active representative at the Local Emergency Planning Committee meetings. She also has served as an instructor for Healthy Living classes and is a facilitator for pedometer walking programs.  

The Dirne Community Health Center is a federally funded clinic that serves the uninsured and underinsured. The clinic was founded by citizen Lidwin Dirne out of her concern for our community and citizens who have no medical care or medial home. The clinic originally was run by volunteer doctors, med-level practitioners, nurses and mental health counselors. Today, the Dirne Clinic has expanded to provide generalized and specialty care and dental services. The dedication of the staff is shown in its respectful, compassionate treatment of its patients. The newest clinics at Dire are the SAGE Center Medicare Clinic for geriatric services, dental clinic and health care collaboratives for diabetes and asthma.

This is the second year Panhandle Health District has presented Health Hero awards. Nominees will be sought each year in the adult, youth and business/organization categories. There were no nominees this year in the youth category.