The Peoples Choice Awards went to a team at the HHS Health Resources and Services Administration in Rockville, Md. Image: Tada Images/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThree HHS officials key to setting up and managing a program to combat the opioid epidemic in rural areas have won the Service to America Medals, or “Sammies,” People’s Choice Award.
The Partnership for Public Service, which sponsors the Sammies, annually announces the winner in that category, chosen by public voting, ahead of the winners of the other categories announcement in the fall.
The three are Megan Meacham, Allison Hitchings and Sarah O’Donnell, respectively director, deputy director and team lead for rural strategic initiatives for the Health Resources and Services Administration in Rockville, Md.
The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program “provides funding for a wide array of opioid use prevention, treatment and recovery services—from traditional interventions to promising practices,” the announcement said. “Some 634,000 service providers, paraprofessional staff and community members have been trained on issues related to opioid prescribing and the use of naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, as well as on harm reduction approaches and mental health first aid.”
“Meacham, Hutchings and O’Donnell have made inroads by funding customized approaches and programs tailored to each community and its needs, recognizing that the way the opioid crisis is playing out in Appalachia is different than in Arizona or New England,” it said.
“The focus of the initiative is on prevention, treatment and recovery, and includes partnerships with a range of local community members and groups, such as first responders, churches, criminal justice representatives, schools and individuals who have had personal experience with substance use disorders. In all, more than 3,000 organizations partner with RCORP grantees,” it said.
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