January 11, 2016

Save The Date: Black History Celebration Honors Achievements in Seminole County

Contact: Tiffani McDaniel, Public Information Officer
Media Desk: 407-665-3374 and 321-200-7805

Sanford, Fla. – February is Black History Month, and the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County (DOH-Seminole) invites residents to attend the Third Annual Black History Month Celebration. The celebration will honor Seminole County’s Health Equity Champions on Thursday, February 11 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 400 West Airport Boulevard, Sanford, Florida. To register, please contact Sakialynn Johnson at 407-665-3029 or Sakialynn.Johnson@flhealth.gov. Dr. Shantel Herbert-Magee, Florida Hospital, will be the keynote speaker. Additionally, the Goldsboro Historical Museum will display an art exhibit.

“The value we place on our lives is not reflective in health care statistics and ratios,” said Dr. Shantel Herbert-Magee, Anatomic and Clinical Pathologist for Florida Hospital. “If we continue to evaluate health-related issues in silos of race, sex, genetics, and gender without considering the social determinants of health such as education and socioeconomic status health inequity will persist.”

“Are We There Yet? On The Road to Health Equity” is the theme for this year’s celebration. The theme highlights the importance of high quality health care for all people. This year, a total of six African Americans who reside in Seminole County will be honored for their achievements. Award recipients include Pastor Paul Wright, Calvary Temple of Praise; Britt Henderson, City of Sanford; Tina Eudell, Safehouse of Seminole County; Pernell Bush, No Limit Health and Education; Kemedontae Tillman, Glorious Hands Club; and Robert Hampton, City of Sanford.

“It is an honor to celebrate these champions for their dedication and efforts in the community,” said Dr. Swannie Jett, Health Officer for DOH-Seminole. “We will continue to collaborate to address health equity and population health needs of our community.”

In July 2013, DOH-Seminole established the Office of Minority Health to address health concerns within minority populations in Seminole County. Health concerns include chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, and cancer. The Office of Minority Health spearheads four major events each year in observance of Black History Month, Minority Health Month, National Public Health Week, Take a Loved One to the Doctor Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month.

The Office of Minority Health collaborates with community partners in Seminole County to reduce and eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities. These efforts aim to ensure all residents are respected, treated fairly, and have equal opportunity to reach their optimal potential.

Visit seminolecohealth.com for more information. The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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