Five from Confluence Health honored with 2024 Champion of Public Health Awards

WENATCHEE - Three staff members and two providers at Confluence Health were recently honored with the 2024  Champions of Public Health Award, presented by the Chelan-Douglas Health District (CDHD). Based on nominations from CDHD staff, this new award is presented to local healthcare professionals in recognition of their profound positive impact on public health in the two counties. 

To present the awards, the CDHD hosted an event in late March at the LocalTel Events Center in Pybus Public Market to celebrate, recognizing the honorees with speeches and a dinner. Five individuals from Confluence Health were  recognized at the event, including Amber Aiken, Carrie Bews, Jess Tyrrell, Dr. Mark Johnson, and Dr. Ahmad Musmar.  

Amber Aiken, maternity support services and infant case management (MSS-ICM) case manager, was nominated by the  Nurse Family Partnership Team for dedication to connecting clients to valuable community resources. By introducing the  program to clients and completing countless referrals, the team noted that she has been an exceptional advocate for the program and essential to its success. 

Carrie Bews, lactation coordinator at Confluence Health, was also nominated for the award by the Nurse Family  Partnership Team for going above and beyond in her work in lactation education, providing valuable mentorship to the  team in supporting clients to reach their breastfeeding goals.  

In addition, Jess Tyrrell, dietitian specialist, was nominated as a Champion of Public Health by Quinn Kenoyer, public  health dietitian with the CDHD. In the nomination, Kenoyer discussed Tyrrell’s commitment to educating Chelan and  Douglas counties about nutrition and wellness. Offering her expertise through a weight loss support group each month  along with spearheading partnerships throughout the community to promote nutrition, Tyrrell was commended as an  amazing community partner. 

Two physicians were also recognized for their work in infectious disease. Dr. Mark Johnson, infectious disease physician  manager at Confluence Health, was nominated by the Communicable Disease and Epidemiology Team for his dedication  to bridging the gap between larger health systems and local public health jurisdictions by enhancing infectious disease  services, extending telemedicine support to neighboring counties, and significantly strengthening healthcare access. His  nomination also thanked him for his professionalism and collaboration as a valued colleague and trusted advisor. 

Additionally, Dr. Ahmad Musmar, infectious disease physician at Confluence Health, was also recognized by the same  team for not only managing a busy inpatient service and providing telemedicine support to neighboring counties, but  also bringing his expertise and dedication to the betterment of public health. A respected figure in the fight against  infectious disease, Dr. Musmar was commended for commitment to excellence and dedication to the community. 

“We are incredibly proud to have five amazing individuals recognized for their outstanding contributions, rightly being  honored as Champions of Public Health,” commented Confluence Health CEO, Dr. Andrew Jones. “Our partnership with  the Chelan-Douglas Health District (CDHD) is incredibly important as we work together for the health and wellbeing of  the community we serve, and we are grateful for their recognition of the outstanding work our staff and providers  contribute to support those goals.”