County health workers honored

Day in and day out, county health care workers help make sure residents in Yuma County receive everything from vaccinations to information about health programs.

On Monday, they got a special thank you from the county health director and others who understand all of the hard work they put in each day.

"It has been busy," said county public health nurse Vikki Armer Monday.

And busy doesn't even begin to describe all the work Armer and others do at the Yuma County Public Health Services District.

Though lately county residents may have noticed an increased presence in the community with recent H1N1, or swine flu, vaccination clinics, county health care workers are always going strong, said Director Becky Brooks.

Monday, Brooks and others with the district joined Research America, a leading U.S. public health organization, in giving a special thank you to their "public health heroes."

According to a news release from Yuma County, Nov. 23 marked the fifth annual Public Health Thank You Day in America.

Staff was honored with an ice cream social, including cake, cupcakes and refreshments Monday, Brooks said.

Brooks said she wanted everyone to know "how grateful I am and how thankful I am."

She said in times of epidemic and recession, the role of the health department is more pronounced. "It's when big events strike, this happens, it brings (health services) to light."

Armer said it was nice to be recognized.

As part of her job with the district, she's been especially busy helping staff the county's 2009 H1N1 hot line and assisting in vaccination clinics.

"It's very nice to be appreciated," said Armer. "It's our job to work hard, but it's very nice for the public and the community and our bosses to appreciate us."

She said the feedback that workers received during the county-sponsored H1N1 vaccination clinics has also been positive.

That's due in part, sai Armer, to the efficiency of workers. And people are positive, whether they waited in line for two hours or 10 minutes - even those who waited in line hours before the clinics began are positive and giving great feedback, she said.

"And that's very good," she said.