(click the above image to go directly to the registration form)
Lacks and Kerr Awards
The Health Initiative is accepting nominations from the community for the Walter Lacks Award and the Patrick "Bird" Kerr Award. The Walter Lacks Award is given to a St. Lawrence County resident who has demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment to both personal wellness and to increasing wellness in others. The Patrick "Bird" Kerr award is for a worksite wellness champion.
Walter Lacks Award
In 2011 the Health Initiative inaugurated the Walter Lacks Award, named for an amazing community resident, Walter Lacks, who well into his 90s worked tirelessly to improve his own health and the health of community members, whether here or across the nation and the globe.
This award was created to both honor him and to recognize other individuals in the community who also express the qualities that Lacks embodied. A true champion for community health, Walter is a role model for all to admire and aspire to, as he demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment to both his personal wellness and his dedication to increasing the wellness in others. Mr. Lacks passed away in 2018.
Patrick "Bird" Kerr Worksite Wellness Champion Award
As an employee for the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, Mr. Patrick “Bird” Kerr was an employee with undeniable charm. He brought smiles and enthusiasm that were incredibly contagious to every room he entered. In addition, “Bird” was very supportive of the Wellness Program at his work as well as in his personal life. He strived to eat healthy, exercise and spread the word of healthy activities occurring throughout the county. Unfortunately, in 2008, Mr. Kerr passed away. In honor of Mr. Kerr, the Wellness Champion Award has been created.
This honor will be presented to an employee who exhibits many of the same wonderful qualities that Mr. Kerr did. In order to be considered for the award, an employee must be nominated by fellow employees, administration, or Health Initiative representatives. The Kerr family will work with the Health Initiative to determine the winner. The award will be presented at the Health Initiative Annual Meeting with a perpetual plaque to be placed at the workplace of the honored employee for the year.
Download the forms below and mail completed nomination to Health Initiative, PO Box 5069, Potsdam NY 13676.
| File | Description | File size |
|---|---|---|
 Kerr Nomination 2019.pdf | 342 kB | |
| Lacks Award Nomination 2019.pdf | 426 kB |