Department of Health Honors Top Employees

In recognition of their hard work throughout the year, Dr. Chiyome Fukino, director of the Department of Health (DOH), honored the department's outstanding employees and presented the Manager of the Year, Employee of the Year and Team of the Year awards.

The Department of Health's Team of the Year, the Statewide School Influenza Immunization Project Team.

"It is a privilege and a pleasure to recognize the efforts of these public health employees as they go about their daily mission of improving the health and wellness of Hawai`i's `ohana," said Dr. Fukino. "As role models for the Department of Health, they are making lives better through their ongoing commitment to improve the health status of those they serve."

Department of Health's Employee of the Year Eric Tash.

The DOH Team of the Year, the Statewide School Influenza Immunization Project Team, implemented the 2007 Stop Flu at School Project. The project was a massive, multi-division undertaking which resulted in the successful immunization of over 60,000 kindergarten through middle school students against influenza. The Immunization Branch's role in the success of this project included planning for the vaccination clinics, supply procurement, coordinating the distribution of medical, administrative, and emergency supplies to over 350 clinic sites. This year the team aims to increase the number of vaccinations distributed at the school based flu clinics that begin this month and extends till December 2008.

Employee of the Year Eric Tash has been instrumental in building the injury prevention field and movement in Hawai`i. With his ability to leverage limited resources, Tash has enabled the Injury Prevention and Control Program to work effectively with multidisciplinary partners at the state, county, community and federal level to address the leading areas of injury in Hawai`i.

Aaron Ueno, acting district health officer, was selected as the Department of Health's Manager of the Year.

Manager of the Year, Acting District Health Officer Aaron Ueno was honored for building capacity within the Hawai`i District Health Office to respond to bioterrorism, disasters and pandemics by establishing, training and equipping the District Health Office emergency response teams. Recognizing the limited resources on the island and within the department, Ueno embraced the establishment of the Medical Reserve Corps that utilizes volunteers who are trained to respond to emergencies within their own communities.

Outstanding employees from every state department will compete in the annual Governor's Awards on October 17. These awards are designed to honor state executive branch employees, managers and work teams who exemplify the highest caliber of public service and dedication in serving the people of Hawai`i.