BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — The McLean County Health Department announced on Thursday that it received the Public Health Program of Excellence Award.
The award was from the Illinois Public Health Association to recognize the county’s PrEP for HIV program, McLean County Health Department spokesperson Marianna Manko said.
The program provides access to PrEP medication and services to support people taking PrEP, which is a medication for those who are HIV negative and wish to stay HIV negative, Manko said.
Erin O’ Malley, the program navigator, accepted the award on behalf of the health department at the Illinois Public Health Association’s 84th annual conference in Normal on Thursday.
“McLean County Health Department’s PrEP for HIV program shows the difference that thoughtful, community-driven public health can make,” said Tom Hughes, executive director of the Illinois Public Health Association.
“By breaking down barriers and helping more people access lifesaving prevention, they’ve built trust and improved outcomes that will ripple for years to come. Their work represents the very best of public health, and we are proud to recognize their achievement with the Public Health Program of Excellence Award.”
The PrEP program is funded through grants from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Manko said.
More information on the health department is available on its website.
