By Ryan Duey

The 2024 Kansas Health Champion Awards were presented by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Governor’s Council on Wellness (GCOW) during the Community Health Promotion Summit on Thursday, January 11. The Health Champion Award, developed by the Governor’s Council on Wellness, aims to acknowledge and highlight outstanding contributions to wellness in Kansas.

Individual Health Champions Vicki Gieber and Pat Brehm, both from Abilene, were honored for their dedicated efforts. They are active members of the Quality-of-Life Coalition in Dickinson County and have played a crucial role in the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant since 2020. Their primary focus on addressing social determinants of health has led to several positive outcomes.

Vicki and Pat’s initiatives include the successful implementation of commercial tobacco-free policies in various areas within their community. Additionally, they collaborated with a long-term care center to establish a resident-led garden. Their involvement was instrumental in the construction of a walking path at a hospital in Abilene, contributing to the overall well-being of the community.