FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2015

PRUDENTIAL PRODUCTIVITY AWARD WINNERS

SANFORD – We are proud to announce that our dedicated staff at the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County (DOH-Seminole) is one of the recipients of the 2015 Prudential Productivity Award for their innovative collaboration with the Café Latino Coalition of Central Florida in reaching the Central Florida area for HIV/AIDS, STD and hepatitis services.

“This award is a testament of the collaboration efforts with community partners and neighboring county health departments in working towards the common goal of health equity and the prevention of chronic diseases such as Hepatitis and HIV/AIDS, said Dr. Swannie Jett, health officer of the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County.

During 2009, Enid Santiago-Cruz, the Hepatitis Program coordinator from DOH-Seminole and Tai Johnson, the Area 7 HIV/AIDS Program from DOH-Orange and co-chair of Café Latino Coalition of Central Florida met about collaborative efforts to reach the Hispanic/Latino community. The Coalition has improved the ability of local health departments, community based organizations, and faith based congregations to provide HIV, STD, and hepatitis testing, prevention and education services to underserved populations through collaboration and partnership opportunities. Team members that received the award include: Enid Santiago-Cruz, Tai Johnson, Luz Reyes, and Mirna Chamorro.

Florida has reported 102,189 persons living with a diagnosis of HIV infection through 2013. Hispanics account for 21% of that total. The Café Latino Coalition continues to work to educate and create awareness, encourage testing and help reduce HIV infections in Central Florida.

The Café Latino Coalition is composed of different state and community agencies committed to the Latino community. Its goals are to increase HIV, STD and hepatitis awareness, reduce HIV/AIDS related stigma and to encourage healthy choices. For more information on the Café Latino Coalition of Central Florida or to become a member, please call (407) 858-1400 extension 1146 or visit www.cafelatinocoalition.com.

For more information about the Prudential Productivity Awards and to see a full list of winners, go to http://www.floridataxwatch.org/prudpa.aspx.

###