Oregon Health Authority Announces Inaugural HIV/STD/TB Community Service Award Recipient

Earlier this year, the Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) HIV/STD/TB Section embarked on a mission to recognize individuals or local public health partners who have made remarkable strides in the field of HIV, STD, and TB prevention,  consequently enhancing the well-being of Oregonians.

The primary goal of this award is to honor a partner who has shown unwavering dedication to disease prevention and supporting those affected by HIV, STIs, and TB through critical partnerships, innovative methods, and community engagement, as outlined in the End HIV/STI Oregon 5-Year Strategy.

After careful consideration, the OHA presented the inaugural award to our very own Debbie Richardson, a Public Health Nurse and Disease Intervention Specialist at Coos Health & Wellness (CHW). Debbie has emerged as a champion in syphilis prevention, leading efforts to combat a notable increase in syphilis cases within her community.

As a member of the CHW team, Debbie has played a pivotal role in Coos County as our Disease Intervention Specialist. In this capacity, she has spearheaded initiatives to develop policies and protocols for STI services. Recognizing a surge in syphilis cases, Debbie engaged local healthcare providers in comprehensive training sessions focused on testing, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up procedures. Furthermore, she initiated proactive care coordination efforts to ensure timely notification, treatment, and partner services for reported STI cases.

In addition to her remarkable work in STI prevention, Debbie has also been actively involved in TB care coordination. Her dedication to addressing gaps in the healthcare system and collaborating to overcome barriers exemplifies her commitment to providing the best possible care to her clients.

In Debbie’s own words, “The thing that brings me the most joy and satisfaction in my professional life is identifying gaps or barriers in our systems and then collaborating to remove them so our clients have access to the best and safest care possible.”

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Debbie Richardson for her tireless efforts in reducing syphilis rates and improving the health of her community. Her willingness to share her successes and lessons learned serves as an inspiration to us all.

To find additional information related to our Public Health Department please go to the Coos Health & Wellness website or call 541-266-6700.

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