Health Department

  Seventeen Health Department Youth Ambassadors traveled to Georgetown University to present their community health projects to faculty members of the School of Medicine’s Department of Family Medicine. This event was the final competition for students from Justice, John Lewis, and Mount Vernon High Schools who participated in the Youth Ambassador program in either the fall or spring sessions this school year. Roxana Melanie Pineda Serrano with Dr. Michelle Roett, MD Roxana Melanie Pineda Serrano from Mount Vernon High School was named winner of the Best Individual Project category for her project to address food insecurity and access to affordable healthy food.  The award for Best Group Project was presented to Justice High School students Brenda Ferrufino-Cruz and Connor Morgan for their plan to increase awareness of the early signs of a stroke. Connor cited a very personal reason for choosing to tackle this particular health issue. “There's history in my family. My uncle had a stroke, but no one around him ever noticed that he was actually having a stroke," said Connor. "He was told to just sit down and go back to work, until later when he was rushed to the ER. Now he's just different behaviorally and emotionally. That made me want to pick this topic, so I can spread awareness towards the signs of strokes,  and so no other family has to suffer like I did when I practically lost my uncle." Brenda Ferrufino-Cruz and Connor Morgan with Dr. Michelle Roett, MD Students in the Youth Ambassador program must complete a required community health project in order to graduate from the program. Participants selected a health issue that is relevant to them and created an actionable plan on how to address it. Among the criteria for evaluation, the student projects were judged on originality, cultural relevance, and feasibility. After two rounds of preliminary judging by subject matter experts at the Health Department, 17 students advanced to this final round. Bipolar depression in students, hunger and access to healthy food, language barriers in healthcare, sleep deprivation among teenagers, and early detection of Alzheimer’s Disease were among other issues that students identified within their communities and chose to address. Leading the judging panel this day was the Chair of the Department of Family Medicine, Dr. Michelle Roett, MD. “Today was absolutely inspirational,” said Dr. Roett. “I loved to hear the energy and see the hard work that the students put into their projects. I wish I could have had an opportunity like this when I was in high school.” Other members of the department who served as judges included Dr. Khaseem Davis, MD, Senior Associate Dean; Dr. Claudia Nguyen, MD, Professor and Psychotherapist; Dr. Brian Lin, MD, Resident Physician; Dr. Kim Bullock MD, Associate Professor; and Dr. Keri Kirk, MD, Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor.   In addition to the presentation of their projects, the students received a tour of the School of Medicine facilities.  The event at Georgetown University was coordinated by Dr. LaTasha Seliby-Perkins, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Director of Community-Based Learning at the School of Medicine. Dr. Seliby-Perkins also served as MC and host of the event. Youth Ambassadors pose with program staff, Georgetown med school students, and Health Director Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu The Georgetown University School of Medicine is an important partner in the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program. Throughout the year, med students from the school met with and coached program participants, and provided in-class instruction in some of the program’s more medical-related lessons. Part of the goal of the program is that youth ambassadors will develop relationships with the med students, forming a mentorship opportunity that will encourage the young person through their career discovery and education years. Learn more about the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program. For anyone interested in applying for program participation for the 2025-2026 school year, the applications should be available online in August for the fall cohort, and in December for the spring cohort.

Three Live Healthy Award winners were recognized at the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax Spring meeting today. The annual Live Healthy Fairfax Awards recognize individuals and organizations that demonstrate exemplary leadership and action to improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, and populations across the Fairfax Health District. Their goals and projects align with the goals of the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), specifically in the areas of Behavioral Health, Healthy Eating/Fairfax Food Council, and Healthy Environment and Active Living. Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia, Behavioral Health Award Girls on the Run (GOTR) of Northern Virginia The mission of Girls on the Run (GOTR) of Northern Virginia is to inspire girls, of all abilities, to recognize their inner strength and form meaningful connections with others. Through the guidance of trained volunteer coaches, the program uses physical activity and dynamic discussions to help girls build social, emotional, and physical skills while also encouraging healthy habits for life. GOTR hosts research-based programs that foster positive effects of physical activity. Their programs also discuss and address topics such as negative self-talk, and poor self-esteem, which are often detrimental to mental health. The program reaches girls at a crucial age, combating the societal pressures that often tell them “They can’t” by empowering them to believe “they can.” Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia believes that all girls deserve the opportunity to experience this transformational program, regardless of their socioeconomic status. In 2024, over 40% of participants received program scholarships. The organization also responded to concerns from coaches about some girls lacking the energy to fully engage in practice due to not having enough food to eat. In response, Girls on the Run formed vital partnerships with local food banks to provide nutritious snacks. Additionally, the organization ensures that participants have access to athletic shoes and clothing when needed, supporting full participation in the program. “It’s a great opportunity to not only connect with youth in your community, but to have a far-reaching impact on young girls. They’re so impressionable at this juncture and this program provides them with an outlet for energy and confusing emotions and helps them build positive relationships with themselves and others.” ~ Volunteer Girls on the Run Coach Carolyn Andrukonis, St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church Ken Jackson Food Pantry (KJFP) St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church Ken Jackson Food Pantry, Healthy Eating/Fairfax Food Council Team Award The St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church Ken Jackson Food Pantry (KJFP) serves as a vital food distribution program and serves roughly 80 household per week. The KJFP offers a wide range of non-perishable and, when available, perishable items that are stored in large refrigerators and freezers. Their bi-weekly distributions—held at varied times to accommodate different schedules—ensure that the community has access to nutritious food. In addition to providing food, the KJFP provides diapers, feminine hygiene products, and connects individuals with vital community resources, including health information and clothing assistance. St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church efforts include dozens of volunteers and participates in the Power Pack Program (P3), which provides packages of food in backpacks to students at Weyanoke Elementary and Holmes Middle Schools. “The Ken Jackson Food Pantry has the philosophy of when you give back, more is given back to you. This has been evident in observing that no matter how low the food pantry may be, there is always enough food for all the people who arrive twice a week to receive food and for the children of Weyanoke Elementary School. This impact on the community is amazing and will continue for as long as there is a need." Juana Cruz Martinez, Healthy Environment and Active Living Award Juana Cruz Martinez Juana Cruz Martinez is deeply committed to improving the health of Fairfax residents, particularly in underserved communities, through her leadership and tireless efforts to promote a healthy environment and active living. Ms. Martinez serves as Co-Chair of the Community + Health Work Group, where she strongly advocates navigating and eliminating barriers to healthcare access for all individuals and families. She worked tirelessly to lead efforts that created a community garden at Hybla Valley Community Center, which provided fresh produce as well as opportunities for community engagement. Ms. Cruz Martinez also collaborates with initiatives like mindfulness session groups to further promote active lifestyles, helping to organize community health fairs, a cross-collaborative diabetes health fair, workshops, and public safety meetings. She meets topics and engages residents on critical issues including substance use and gang violence, always connecting residents with information and resources to help. “Juana’s dedication to inclusivity, innovative practices, and sustainability has made a lasting impact, embodying the values of the Live Healthy Fairfax Award.” Congratulations to all Live Healthy Award winners! The Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax is a coalition of community members and organizations working together to explore new approaches for addressing the social determinants of health and other critical public health issues. Learn more about what you can do to get involved by visiting Live Healthy Fairfax.

  During National Nurses Month, we honor the heart, dedication, and quiet heroism of nurses across the country. This edition of Profiles in Public Health recognizes someone whose journey into nursing began with compassion at home and has grown into a 30-year career of extraordinary service—the Health Department’s Nurse of the Year, Julie Smith. From her earliest memories, caregiving was second nature. “I grew up with elderly grandparents at home,” Julie recalls. “My mom was their caretaker, and it was just natural for me to help out. From a young age, I cared for my grandmother—it’s all I ever wanted to do.” She followed that calling, working as a certified nurse’s aide in high school before pursuing her nursing degree. Three decades later, that childhood instinct evolved into a distinguished nursing career spanning prison healthcare, cardiac step-down, medical-surgical floors, clinics, and, ultimately, public health. Julie has served with the Fairfax County Health Department for eight years, a move initially motivated by her own family’s needs. “We’re a military family, and we moved around a lot,” she explains. “As my kids got older and 12-hour hospital shifts became harder, I wanted something more balanced. I saw a posting for a public health nurse and thought, ‘That sounds like a great fit.’ It ended up being perfect.” What began as a search for balance quickly became a mission. As a School Health nurse, Julie now serves not just as a clinician, but as an advocate, educator, and trusted presence in the lives of hundreds of students and families. She cites the ability to build deep, lasting connections as a major difference from her previous experiences. “In the hospital, you care for someone in crisis—then they’re gone the next day,” Julie says. “But in school health, you get to see the same students day after day, year after year. I’ve followed students with chronic conditions like diabetes from kindergarten to sixth grade. Being part of their lives as they grow and learn—it’s incredibly meaningful.” Among the many lives she’s touched, one case stands out. A young boy who had lived with an ostomy since infancy arrived at school with minimal medical supplies and limited family resources. Collaborating with care coordination teams, social workers, and local services, she helped guide the child and his father through a life-changing surgery and recovery process. “He came from a Latin American country with just his dad and had lived with this condition his whole life,” she shares. “Seeing him return to school after the reversal surgery, happier and with a new outlook on life—it was one of those moments that reminds you why we do this work.” Julie’s empathy extends beyond physical health. One of the most pressing concerns she sees today is the growing youth mental health crisis. “We’re seeing younger and younger students with mental health needs,” she says. “So many come to the health room with physical symptoms rooted in anxiety or depression. The stigma still exists, and resources are limited, but the need is enormous. Connecting students and families to help is one of our most urgent challenges.” Despite the gravity of the issues she faces, her message to aspiring nurses is one of hope and encouragement. “Nursing is such a diverse field. There’s job security, yes, but more importantly, there are so many ways to make a difference. Public health nursing, in particular, gives you that balance—and the impact you can make is huge.” Julie praises the health department as a uniquely collaborative environment where no nurse works alone. “If I have a student with a suspected communicable disease, I can reach out to our epidemiology team. If there’s a concern about pregnancy, I have maternal-child health to support. The internal resources here are incredible.” As Julie reflects on three decades in nursing, she smiles and says, “I used to look at the seasoned nurses and think, ‘Wow, they’ve seen it all.’ Now I’m one of those seasoned nurses.” On this anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, we recognize not just her years of service, but the compassion, resilience, and quiet strength Julie brings to every school hallway and every child she cares for. Her story is a powerful reminder that the heart of nursing is in the lasting impact nurses make every single day.