The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department will recognize Douglas County residents who model, encourage and promote health in the community during National Public Health Week, April 3-9.

Director Dan Partridge encourages individuals to take the opportunity to nominate their favorite health champions for the Douglas County Health Champion award. The deadline is 5 p.m. Feb. 15, and the nomination form can be found at ldchealth.org.

Nominees are expected to have demonstrated:

• Work that goes above and beyond what is expected through normal job or organizational responsibilities.

• Efforts that have resulted in a positive health impact on others in the community.

“We know there are many deserving individuals in our community. Whether they’ve started a walking group, organized an event or volunteered service, this is an opportunity to recognize individuals and their efforts,” Partridge said.

The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Board will select the health champions, who will be recognized during a community breakfast April 7. Each recipient will receive a Douglas County Health Champion Award certificate, and a $200 donation will be made to a charity of his or her choice.

This is the fifth year for the Douglas County Health Champion awards. Previous winners were Michel Loomis and Josie Naron, 2013; Ellen Young and Logan Brown, 2014; Rick Martin and Di Xie, 2015; and Linda Cottin and Marilyn Hull, 2016.

— Karrey Britt, Communications Coordinator for the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department