Updates from the Health Department
May 21, 2025
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.
May 12, 2025
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.
May 1, 2025
Each May, National Nurses Month provides an important opportunity to recognize and honor the critical contributions nurses make to our healthcare system and communities. Established to highlight the essential role of nursing professionals across all settings, this month-long observance acknowledges the expertise, leadership, and dedication that nurses bring to their work — shaping healthier populations and strengthening the foundation of public health.
While every nurse deserves recognition, the Health Department shines the spotlight specifically on the invaluable role of public health nurses. Often working behind the scenes, public health nurses operate where health care and community life intersect. They are the ones who visit homes to support new mothers, manage vaccination campaigns, coordinate responses during public health emergencies, and work tirelessly to educate communities about disease prevention and healthy living.
Dr. Parham Jaberi, Deputy Director for Medical Services for the Fairfax County Health Department expressed the gratitude of the entire department when he said, “We are deeply grateful for the commitment, compassion, and breadth of expertise that our public health nurses bring to their work every day in serving our residents of Fairfax.”
Public health nurses are uniquely positioned to see the bigger picture of community health. Their work often addresses the root causes of health issues — from advocating for cleaner environments to connecting individuals with vital social services. During crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, they were on the frontlines, conducting testing, contact tracing, and ensuring that even the most vulnerable populations received care.
Their impact is far-reaching: improving childhood immunization rates, reducing chronic disease through education and early intervention, and even lowering health care costs by preventing hospitalizations before they happen. Public health nurses are not only healers but also advocates, educators, and leaders, often quietly shaping healthier futures for entire communities.
The origins of this Nurses Month observance trace back to 1954, marking the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s groundbreaking work during the Crimean War. Official recognition grew over the decades, with National Nurses Week first established in 1974 and eventually expanding to a month-long celebration. Each year, this time serves as a reminder to express gratitude for the dedication, compassion, and skill that nurses bring to their work every day.
As we honor nurses this month, it is crucial to acknowledge the breadth of their contributions. They are the trusted hand of health and wellness, the voice of calm in emergencies, and the guiding light toward healthier, stronger communities. Public health nurses, in particular, embody the spirit of service and resilience that National Nurses Month is designed to celebrate.
April 25, 2025
To raise awareness about disorders related to hearing, voice, speech or language, the Fairfax County Health Department joins the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and other organizations in observing National Speech-Language-Hearing Month in May.
Throughout the month, trained personnel from the Health Department's Speech and Hearing program will present free, 30-minute informational sessions at several county libraries. Designed for parents who want to learn more about speech and hearing development, local experts will share signs to look for, tips to support children at home and information about early intervention options. Attendees will have a chance to ask questions and connect with other parents.
Following the information sessions, speech therapists will return to the libraries to offer no-cost speech screenings (testing) for children ages 3 to 7 years. Appointments are required for the free screenings. Use the registration button below the chart.
Location
Free Workshop
Date & Time
Free Screening
Date & Time
Culmore Library
6101 Knollwood Dr. Falls Church, VA 22041
Thursday, May 1
4:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 8
1:30–4:30 p.m.
George Mason Regional Library
7001 Little River Tpk., Annandale, VA 22003
No workshop at this location
Wednesday, May 28
1:30–4:30 p.m.
Herndon Fortnightly Library
768 Center St., Herndon, VA 20170
Friday, May 9
4:00 p.m.
Friday, May 23
1:30–4:30 p.m.
John Marshall Library
6209 Rose Hill Dr., Alexandria, VA 22310
Saturday, May 17
4:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 24
1:30–4:30 p.m.
Lorton Library
9520 Richmond Hwy., Lorton, VA 22079
Monday, May 12
4:00 p.m.
Monday, May 19
1:30–4:30 p.m.
Reston Regional Library
11925 Bowman Towne Dr., Reston, VA 20190
No workshop at this location
Friday, May 30
1:30–4:30 p.m.
Richard Byrd Library
7250 Commerce St., Springfield, VA 22120
No workshop at this location
Saturday, May 24
1:30–4:30 p.m.
Sherwood Regional Library
2501 Sherwood Hall Ln., Alexandria, VA 22306
No workshop at this location
Tuesday, May 20
1:30–4:30 p.m.
Thomas Jefferson Library
7415 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA 22042
Wednesday, May 21
4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 28
1:30–4:30 p.m.
Register YOur child for a no-cost speech screening
For more information about the workshops or the free screenings, call the Fairfax County Health Department Speech and Hearing Services Program at 703-246-7120.
Early detection can make a big difference
A child can quickly fall behind if speech and language learning is delayed. Studies show that when children with speech and language disorders and delays are identified earlier, they make faster progress and have a better chance to catch up to same-aged peers. Signs that indicate a potential need for screening include: children not talking as much as other children their age, trouble pronouncing words, and not responding when called by name.
Speech-Language-Hearing Month observances provide an opportunity to learn about the importance of human communication and what we can all do to prevent and address communication disorders, and to encourage people to think about their own hearing and get their hearing checked. In the United States, at least 46 million people have a hearing or other communication disorder. Approximately 3 percent to 16 percent of U.S. children and adolescents between the ages of 3 and 21 experience speech and language disorders. This means that around 1 in 12 children may have a disorder related to voice, speech, language or swallowing.
Wash Your Hands Often
Mosquito & Tick Bite Prevention
Health Dept. Strategic Plan
Parents: Get your child's immunizations up-to-date!
Ensuring children are up-to-date on their vaccinations helps provide immunity before they are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases.
And remember, vaccination it important at all ages. Parents, grandparents, and caregivers, make sure you are up to date, too!