NCCHC’s annual awards pay tribute to leaders and innovators who have enriched the correctional health care field. The awards were presented October 21 during the opening ceremony of the National Conference on Correctional Health Care in Las Vegas.
Two facilities received Pinnacle recognition for having achieved NCCHC accreditation in three separate service areas: the Middlesex County Office of Adult Corrections and Youth Services in New Jersey and the Washoe County Detention Facility in Reno, Nevada, are both accredited for health services, mental health services, and opioid treatment programs, making them the second and third Pinnacle facilities in the country. Health care services at both are provided by NaphCare.
The El Paso Service Processing Center, a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, was named the R. Scott Chavez Program of the Year. The award recognizes a program of excellence from among the thousands provided at NCCHC-accredited jails, prisons, and juvenile confinement facilities. The center’s comprehensive health care program is provided by the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, which provides screenings, evaluations, and treatment in a safe, secure, clean environment.
The Bernard P. Harrison Award of Merit was presented to Jeffrey Alvarez, MD, CCHP-CP, CCHP-A, for demonstrated excellence and service in advancing the correctional health care field. As chief medical officer for NaphCare, Dr. Alvarez oversees all health care provided to more than 150,000 incarcerated individuals across 49 states. He is a strong supporter of NCCHC standards, accreditation, and CCHP certification.
The B. Jaye Anno Award of Excellence in Communication pays tribute to innovative, well-executed communications that have had a positive impact on the field of correctional health care. This year the award was given to Carolyn Sufrin, MD, PhD, CCHP, a leading authority on reproductive health issues affecting incarcerated women. She is head of the Advocacy and Research on Reproductive Wellness of Incarcerated People project at Johns Hopkins University, and author of the book Jailcare: Finding the Safety Net for Women Behind Bars.
Nancy Booth, MSN, RN, CCHP-RN, is the recipient of the Edward A. Harrison Award of Excellence in Correctional Health Care Leadership. The award is presented to a leader who inspires others and is committed to quality improvement in correctional health care. Ms. Booth recently retired from her role as director of nursing for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. She is now a lead surveyor for NCCHC and a senior consultant with NCCHC Resources, the organization’s consulting subsidiary.
The Young Professional Award recognizes new and upcoming leaders in the field of correctional health care. This year’s winner is Heather Koroma, DDS, CCHP. A general dentist with Parkland Health in Dallas, she provides oral health care to individuals detained at the Dallas County Jail, where she estimates she has more than 4,000 patient encounters in a year.
Doris Battle, MS, BSN, CCHP, is this year’s winner of the newly renamed Jim Voisard Surveyor of the Year award for outstanding service and dedication to NCCHC’s accreditation program. Ms. Battle has a long and illustrious career in nursing, including many years as health services administrator for the Hampton Sheriff’s Office in Virginia and more than a decade as an NCCHC surveyor.
Congratulations to all this year’s award winners!
