Becky Felling among five to receive health commissioner’s awards

Becky Felling of Hutchinson was among five people to receive awards for significant accomplishments in public health from Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Sanne Magnan this week. The awards were presented Wednesday at the 2008 Community Health Conference in Brainerd.

Felling received the Commissioner's Award for Distinguished Service. The award is presented to individuals demonstrating long-term involvement and advocacy in community health. Felling's career started in 1978 when she accepted a position as a part-time family health nurse at McLeod County Public Health. Earlier this year, she retired while serving as their director.

“Her dedication to promoting the role of public health in the community and her willingness to take risks helped her find unlikely funding sources for public health programs and creative ways to accomplish public health goals,” a news release from the health department said.

"Minnesota is a healthy state in part because we have so many dedicated public health professionals working around the clock to protect, maintain and improve the health of all Minnesotans," Commissioner Magnan said. "The individuals and organizations we recognize this year demonstrate the kind of leadership, commitment and innovation that contribute to Minnesota's reputation as having one of the best public health systems in the nation."