NEWS RELEASE
May 5, 2015
Contact: Veronica Mikitka Reed, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 215-434-7194
PHILADELPHIA, PA—Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), a nonprofit public health institute that creates and sustains healthier communities, is proud to announce that Brian Valdez, Policy and Development Specialist at PHMC affiliate National Nursing Centers Consortium (NNCC), was named an AmeriCorps VISTA "Champions of Change" honoree at an awards event on May 1 at the White House.
The "Champions of Change" program honors individuals from across the nation who are doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities in all areas of community service. The May 1 event provided special recognition to community leaders who served in the AmeriCorps VISTA program and supporters of the Employers of National Service initiative. Each of the 10 honorees was recognized for his/her work in demonstrating how service creates pathways to economic and employment opportunities.
"We are thrilled that Brian has been recognized for his incredible commitment to helping underserved communities, though this fantastic honor comes as no surprise," said Tine Hansen-Turton, Chief Strategy Officer at PHMC and CEO of NNCC. "Brian is a tireless advocate for public health and nurse-managed care in our region and across the nation."
Brian Valdez served as an AmeriCorps VISTA from 2001-2003. After a physical disability prevented him from joining the military, Brian saw VISTA as an opportunity to serve his country and the people of Philadelphia.
During his first VISTA term, Brian worked with administrators at various Philadelphia schools to address asthma triggers and other indoor environmental hazards that could negatively affect the health of students.
Brian then joined PHMC through NNCC where he served a second VISTA term. At NNCC, he helped develop a plan to promote the growth and development of nurse practitioner-run health clinics serving medically underserved and uninsured patients around the country. He was also part of the NNCC policy team that contributed language to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which became law in 2010. The team's contribution to the Act resulted in the creation of a $15 million grant program for the nation's nurse-managed health clinics.
Today, Brian is an attorney, licensed in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In 2014, Brian and a colleague founded Comunidades Philadelphia to increase funding for programs serving Latinos through community-driven philanthropy. He continues to work with NNCC and its parent organization, Public Health Management Corporation.
Brian has a B.A. from DeSales University and a J.D. from Temple University.
About PHMC
Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) is a nonprofit public health institute that creates and sustains healthier communities. PHMC uses best practices to improve community health through direct service, partnership, innovation, policy, research, technical assistance and a prepared workforce. PHMC has served the region since 1972. For more information on PHMC, visit www.phmc.org.
About NNCC
A critical supporter of nurse-managed health clinics in the United States, National Nursing Centers Consortium (NNCC) works to advance nurse-led health care through policy, consultation, programs and applied research to reduce health disparities and meet people's primary care and wellness needs. The nation's 500 nurse-managed health clinics reduce health disparities by providing high quality comprehensive primary health care, health promotion and disease prevention services to uninsured, underinsured and vulnerable patients in rural, urban and suburban communities. NNCC is an affiliate of Public Health Management Corporation. For more information on NNCC, visit www.nncc.us.
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