FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 16, 2008

Health Department director receives national honor

Dr. Rex Archer, director of the City of Kansas City, Mo., Health Department, was recently recognized by Research America as a “Public Health Hero.”

Research America, a 501(c)(3) group that focuses on funding and advocacy for health, medical and scientific research, partnered with the American Public Health Association, the Association of Schools of Public Health, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health and the National Association of County and City Health Officials to select and honor 16 heroes from around the nation for their ongoing dedication to protect the health of the public.

Dr. Archer was specifically recognized for his support of smoke-free workplace legislation in Michigan, Maryland and Kansas City, for his support for the implementation of new cardiac resuscitation protocols in Kansas City to save more lives of people suffering from heart attacks and for his work at the local and national level on setting and meeting accreditation standards for health departments.

“Through accreditation, we can hold ourselves accountable for working to improve the quality of public health on a regular basis,” said Dr. Archer.

Research America also recognized Dr. Archer’s work at the local and national level to educate the public about the positive impact public health work has on lives every day.

Information on those recognized may be found on Research America’s Web site, http://www.researchamerica.org/ph_heroes.

Media inquiries on this topic should be directed to Jeff Hershberger, (816) 840-2548 (pager).