April 27, 2017 (Miramichi) - Horizon Health Network (Horizon) announced the winners of the Community Health Recognition Awards at their public board meeting in Miramichi. This was the first year that Horizon handed out the awards to celebrate individuals and groups that are making a difference to improve overall health in their community. 

"Horizon's mission is "Helping People Be Healthy", and that is something we can't do alone", said Karen McGrath, President and CEO of Horizon Health Network. "We need people and organizations that help to improve access to health care and promote wellness in their communities. I would like to congratulate all of the 2017 winners, as well as everyone that applied, or was nominated for the Horizon Community Health Recognition Awards. It's truly encouraging to see that there is so much excellent work being done to keep our communities healthy across New Brunswick." 

Winners were selected from Fredericton, Miramichi, Moncton, Saint John and Upper River Valley areas. 

Fredericton:
•  Doaktown Community School Library
• "I am Me"  - East and Central African Association
•  Mountain Bike Minto 

Miramichi:
•  Fresh 4 Less
•  Natoaganeg Youth Champions - Eel Ground First Nation School
•  Schizophrenia Society of New Brunswick 

Moncton:
•  Lise Brun - development of Hope Library
•  Peter McKee Food Centre
•  St. Philips Anglican Church (Learn to Cook and Learn to Sew Programs) 

Saint John:
•  AIDS Saint John
•  Crescent Valley Resource Centre - Food Program
•  Living SJ 

Upper River Valley:
•  Gail Farnsworth - creating wellness programs for seniors in Nackawic
•  Rowena Simpson - volunteer for over 20 years with River Valley Lifeline
•  True North Baptist Church - "Got Your Back" Program 

Each winner received $500 towards their organization and an award. A short video describing the services the individuals and organizations provide was debuted at the public board meeting. https://youtu.be/KkiZz6dUvJQ. 

Horizon received over 80 submissions for the Community Health Recognition Awards. Horizon's Local Community Engagement Committees reviewed submissions and selected the winners. 

"We were pleased with the level of interest surrounding this award", said Jean Daigle, VP of Community for Horizon Health Network. "These awards gave us the opportunity to learn about so many worthy organizations that are improving health in our communities. Many of the organizations we're aware of, and possibly partner with, but many of the organizations were new to us. We look forward to creating more partnerships within the community to Help People Be Healthy." 

Horizon is grateful for the many people that work every day to break down the barriers to accessing health care and promote wellness. 

For more information on the awards or Horizon's Local Community Engagement Committees, please contact: Engagement@horizonnb.ca. 

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For more information contact: 

Stephanie Neilson-Levesque 
Media Relations   
1-877-499-1899       
Media@HorizonNB.ca               
www.HorizonNB.ca