FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 9, 2006

Health Department director honored

Dr. Rex Archer, director of City of Kansas City, Mo., Health Department, has been honored by the Missouri Public Health Association for his efforts and performance nationally, regionally and locally.

Archer has been named this year's recipient of the W. Scott Johnson Award, the most prestigious award presented by the association, which recognizes distinguished service in the public health field. The award is given in commemoration of the skills, integrity and devotion to duty, and constructive leadership that characterized the life of W. Scott Johnson, a public health sanitary engineering pioneer in the mid-20th century.

During the last year, Archer has been active on many fronts, including serving as the president of the National Association of County and City Health Officials. During his tenure, he has led the efforts to make public health visible in the community by establishing a national professional logo for public health, similar to the Star of Life used by emergency medical services and the Maltese cross used by fire departments.

Last week, the Health Department released information that two other employees, Bert Malone, acting deputy director, and Dr. Jinwen Cai, had received awards from the Missouri Association of Local Public Health Agencies and the Missouri Public Health Association, respectively.