March 15, 2004
Jeff Severn and Martin Stephens present the Lay Vaccinator of the Year Award (a Poulan Pro Chainsaw) to VPSO Richard Ellis of Marshall. Mayor Ray Alstrom congratulates the winner. (photo by Chris Ho, YKHC Public Relations)
by Chris Ho, YKHC Public Relations
The Office of Environmental Health and Engineering (OEHE) is proud to announce the winners of the First Annual Lay Vaccinator Awards. These awards recognize extraordinary achievements of volunteer lay vaccinators working in their communities to help prevent the spread of rabies. Each award winner displayed outstanding effort, assisting OEHE and their communities by promoting public health and vaccinating dogs against rabies.
"It is with great pride that we recognize the achievement of these men, their exemplary efforts demonstrate their dedication to their communities," said Jeff Severn, YKHC-OEHE. Severn and Martin Stephens, OEHE's Rabies Control Program coordinator, presented the awards on February 10, 2004.
The 2003 Lay Vaccinator of the Year award winner is Richard Ellis, Marshall's Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO). Distinguished Lay Vaccinator awards go to Municipal Police Officer Larry Kocur of Saint Mary's, and VPSO Simeon Askoak of Russian Mission.
Richard Ellis was recognized as the Lay Vaccinator of the Year with a Certificate of Appreciation and a new 18 inch Poulan Pro Chainsaw. Richard earned this honor by assisting Jeff Severn with 112 vaccinations during a site visit and, more importantly, by following up with 143 vaccinations on his own. Richard's efforts will help promote rabies control in Marshall for years to come.
Larry Kocur received a Certificate of Appreciation award for being a Distinguished Lay Vaccinator, and a $150 Hageland's round-trip travel voucher. Larry earned this award by assisting Martin Stephens with 31 vaccinations during a site visit and for continuing to vaccinate 39 animals on his own. Larry also assisted OEHE with handling and transport of three rabies specimens during 2003.
Simeon Askoak also received a Certificate of Appreciation award for being a Distinguished Lay Vaccinator, and a $100 gift certificate to the Russian Mission Corporation Store. Simeon earned his award by completing 45 vaccinations on his own.
"We'd like to thank everyone who helped vaccinate dogs this past year, and we encourage anyone who wants to help this year to give us a call," said Martin Stephens. In 2004, OEHE will award quarterly Lay Vaccinator awards in addition to the Lay Vaccinator of the Year awards. Look for the next winners in future Messenger issues. For more information about becoming a lay vaccinator, contact Rabies Control Program Coordinator Martin Stephens at 543-6422.