Honors, Awards and Achievements
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross named the Honorable Renée Cardwell Hughes, chair of the board of directors of Public Health Management Corporation, as its new Chief Executive Officer. Judge Hughes, who was chosen after a nationwide search, began her new position as CEO in May. Previously, Judge Hughes served as a trial judge in the Court of Common Pleas, the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, which encompasses the City of Philadelphia.
On June 28, the DHS Parenting Collaborative celebrated 10 years of providing parenting education as a means to prevent child abuse and reduce the need for child protective service interventions. The innovative public-private partnership uses parenting education to reinforce supportive behaviors of parents, enhance parenting skills and teach alternative approaches to child rearing. DHS Parenting Collaborative operates through the support of PHMC, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Institute for Family Professionals and the Philadelphia Department of Human Services.
Jennifer L. Lauby, PHMC’s senior research scientist, is the lead author of “Having Supportive Social Relationships Is Associated with Reduced Risk of Unrecognized HIV Infection Among Black and Latino Men who Have Sex with Men,” an article published online on July 31 by AIDS and Behavior. Lauby, with six other researchers, examined the hypothesis that black and Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) and who have supportive social relationships with other people are less likely to have unrecognized HIV infection compared with MSM of color who report lower levels of social support. The study used interviews with 1,286 black and Latino MSM in three metropolitan areas. The researchers found that men with supportive relationships were more likely to have recently taken an HIV test and were less likely to report risky sexual behavior.
The August 2011 Best of Philly issue of Philadelphia magazine named Students Run Philly Style, a program of PHMC affiliate National Nursing Centers Consortium, the area’s “Best Kids’ Self-Esteem Booster.” The only program in Philadelphia that offers marathon training to help youth succeed in life, Students Run Philly Style has served over 2,500 Philadelphia students, ages 12–18, since it began in 2004. The program connects youth with an adult mentor who helps them achieve both academic and fitness goals.
On May 9, PHMC affiliate Interim House became one of 45 organizations based in Northwest Philadelphia to receive an award from the Northwest Fund. Presented by US Representative Chaka Fattah, the awards recognize organizations that provide support for local groups involved in community building and improving neighborhoods. The oldest residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment program for women in Pennsylvania, Interim House has helped thousands of women conquer substance abuse and lead healthy, productive and satisfying lives.
PHMC President and CEO Richard J. Cohen was named to the board of trustees of Pennsylvania Presbyterian Medical Center, a hospital located in the University City section of West Philadelphia.
Correction
In the Spring 2011 issue of Directions, we inadvertently listed the Philadelphia Department of Human Services Parenting Collaborative as a program of PHMC affiliate Resources for Children’s Health. PHMC’s Management Services administers the collaborative, which consists of community-based parenting programs from agencies throughout the city.
