By Jim Bloch
St. Clair County Community Mental Health has won a Hometown Health Hero Award as part of Michigan Public Health Week, April 6-12.
The CMH was one of four organizations and two individuals to win the award this year. Two individuals and two organizations earned the Jean Chabut Health Policy Award. The two awards recognize the recipients for their contributions to protecting and improving the health of Michigan residents.
“Public health is built on the dedication of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to improve the well-being of their communities,” said Elizabeth Hertel, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, in a statement. “These annual public health awards recognize those who go above and beyond to create a healthier Michigan for all. Their passion and commitment inspire us to continue striving for a future where every Michigan resident has the opportunity to thrive.”
The Michigan Public Health Week Partnership presented the awards. The group, of which MDHHS is a founding member, consists of state and local health agencies, universities and organizations dedicated to advancing public health.
The partnership recognized St. Clair County CMH for integrating the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders within overall physical health of the people it serves.
“Committed to providing accessible, coordinated care for mental health and substance use disorders, St. Clair County Community Mental Health recognizes that healing involves both mind and body,” the partnership said in its April 9 press release.
“St. Clair County Community Mental Health was selected for our commitment to integrated, whole-person care and the meaningful partnerships we’ve built to expand access to behavioral health services,” said the CMH on its Facebook page. “We’re honored to be named a 2025 Hometown Health Hero.”
The CMH has: Ensured integrated health care by coordinating care for more than 4,000 individuals with primary care physicians; partnered with 67 physicians for cooperative care agreements; embedded a clinician with the Port Huron Police Department, providing more than 1,900 service hours; trained 271 law enforcement officers on behavioral health topics; supported 295 individuals through mental health court and 38 through recovery court; conducted 17 school presentations to educate students and staff on various mental health and wellness topics; provided 40 hours of behavioral health care training to more than 300 nursing students at St. Clair County Community College; and trained 192 community members in Mental Health First Aid last year, totaling 1,623 trained since 2015.
The partnership also presented Hometown Health Hero Awards to Dr. Nicole Jones, MSU Pediatric Public Health Initiative; the Coldwater Township Sunrise Rotary Club; peer recovery coach Paul Bock, Munson Healthcare; the Ingham County Health Department Neighborhood Wellness Center at Epicenter of Worship; and the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.
Receiving the Chabut award were the Barry-Eaton District Public Health Department; the Oakland County Health Division; Adeline Hambley, Ottawa County Department of Public Health; and Dr. Brittany Tayler, MSU Pediatric Public Health Initiative.
In addition to MDHHS, the Michigan Public Health Week Partnership consists of the following organizations: Eastern Michigan University, Michigan Association of Medical Examiners, Michigan Health and Hospital Association, Grand Valley State University, Michigan Association of Counties, Michigan Association for Local Public Health, Michigan Public Health Association, Michigan Public Health Institute, Michigan State University, University of Michigan School of Public Health and Wayne State University.
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, Michigan. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.
