Nominations Now Being Accepted for Kansas Health Champion Awards Exceptional efforts to promote health and fitness in Kansas to be recognized\

TOPEKA – The Governor’s Council on Fitness is now accepting nominations for its annual Kansas Health Champion Awards. Awards are given to one outstanding individual and two outstanding organization, that make an exceptional effort to model, encourage and promote health and fitness in Kansas. Award recipients will be recognized at the Community Health Promotion Summit on January 26, 2023. The deadline for nominations is Sept. 30.

“The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is proud to play a part in this important initiative that works to improve the health and wellness of Kansans,” said KDHE Secretary Janet Stanek, “Many people and organizations throughout the state are making healthy living a priority, and it’s important that we recognize their efforts and the impacts it has on individuals, families and communities.”

Nominees would be expected to have demonstrated:

• Work that goes beyond what is expected to model, encourage and promote a healthy lifestyle.
• Work that overcomes health inequities that lead to sedentary lifestyles and/or undernourishment.
• Far-reaching impact
• Sustainable influence or activity

“In addition to promoting effective models for increasing physical activity, nutrition and tobacco-free living for replication by organizations and communities around the state, the awards also allow us the opportunity to honor the outstanding work of one individual and one organization this year,” said Jody Hoener, Awards Committee Chair, Governor’s Council on Fitness. Eligible nominees might include an outstanding volunteer, a school, a local community, a newspaper or individual reporter, a local or State policy maker, or an employer, among others.

For more information and to submit a nomination, go to getactivekansas.org, and click on the nomination form link. If you have questions about the nomination process, contact Jody Hoener at [email protected]

The Governor’s Council on Fitness advises the Governor and others on ways to enhance the health of all Kansans through promotion of physical activity, good dietary choices and prevention of tobacco use