Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Date:                       April 14, 2009

Release Date:          Immediate Release         End Date:

Contact Person:       April Swartout, MPA, Public Health Program Coordinator     

Phone:                    (810) 424-4441

RE:                         Robert M. Pestronk Awarded the Bronze Bow Tie

The Genesee County Health Department’s 4^th Annual Public Health Week Conference was held at the Flint Cultural Center on April 1-2, 2009. The conference concluded with the presentation of the first annual “Robert M. Pestronk Excellence in Public Health Award”-- “the Bronze Bow Tie”-- to Robert Pestronk. The “Robert M. Pestronk Excellence in Public Health Award” recognizes exemplary service and dedication to improving the public’s health in Genesee County, Michigan, and will be awarded annually during National Public Health Week. Future recipients will exemplify the leadership style modeled by Mr. Pestronk: encouraging participatory collaboration with deep respect and appreciation for the varied life experiences of the population served.

        Robert M. Pestronk, MPH, is the Executive Director of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO).  Prior to NACCHO he served as Genesee County Health Officer and Director of the Genesee County Health Department from 1986 to 2008, where he was actively involved in implementing innovative public health programs and initiatives. He is known by his colleagues as a visionary leader in the field of public health, and for his ever-present bow tie.