U.S. CDC has named Jeri Greenwell of Bethel as Maine’s 2016
Childhood Immunization Champion for her outstanding efforts to promote
childhood immunizations.
Greenwell has made it her life’s mission to improve awareness
about vaccine-preventable diseases. She has developed relationships with
political leaders from both sides of the aisle, spoken with many about the
importance of vaccination and has met with various groups and individuals to
provide education. In addition, Greenwell has coordinated school-based
activities with school nurses, students and parents to support on-time
immunizations.
Greenwell’s passion and commitment to children’s health is
driven by her family’s personal tragedy. In 2003, her son, Jerry, awoke with
flu-like symptoms and by evening, he was admitted to the hospital in critical
condition. Despite aggressive, round-the-clock care, Jerry died from
meningococcal meningitis with this family by his side. This disease is
preventable through immunization.
“Only those who have experienced their child or loved one
suffering from the devastating consequences of a vaccine-preventable disease
can truly comprehend the impact it has on a family or parent,’’ said Maine
Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew. “Jeri has
been a tireless advocate for childhood immunization and has turned her grief
into positive action.”
Each year during National Infant Immunization Week, the U.S.
CDC and its CDC Foundation honor health professionals and community leaders
from around the country with the CDC Childhood Immunization Champion awards.
These awards acknowledge the outstanding efforts of those individuals who
strive to ensure that children in their communities are fully immunized against
14 preventable diseases before age two.
