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Utah County honors longtime nurse and BYU health‑science program for public‑health partnerships
Summary
The county presented 'Friend of Public Health' awards to Deanne Francis for decades of nursing, lactation and newborn‑care advocacy and to Brigham Young University's Department of Health Science for student internships and program support, highlighting the county's collaboration with academic partners.
The Utah County Board of Commissioners and the Utah County Health Department recognized two local public‑health partners during the regular meeting.
Deanne Francis was honored for more than four decades of service in neonatal intensive care, lactation support and community programs; staff recounted her role introducing fathers into the delivery room locally and her work establishing protocols and supporting the Mountain West Mother's Milk Bank. "For all these efforts and many more, we honor…Deanne Francis with our Friend of Public Health award," the health department presenter said.
The commission also presented a Friend of Public Health award to Brigham Young University's Department of Health Science, represented at the meeting by Rosemary Thackery. County staff credited BYU with providing graduate and undergraduate support for county programs, including evaluation, internships and a prenatal smoking‑cessation 'baby steps' initiative that county presenters said helped expand reach and program effectiveness. "We are indebted to Utah County Health Department for being an academic health department partner for us," Thackery said, accepting the recognition on behalf of the department.
Commissioners thanked health department staff and partners for collaborative efforts that support prevention and community programs. The presentations did not require action; they were acknowledgements of community partnerships and volunteer service.
