Two KCHD Initiatives Receive Statewide Recognition
Two Knox County Health Department initiatives received statewide recognition through the Tennessee Department of Health’s (TDH) Bright Spot Awards. The awards recognize examples of efforts that aim to prevent negative health outcomes.
The Knox Pediatric Dental Initiative received a gold award, and the Maternal Child Health Workgroup received a bronze award. KCHD was the only metro health department to receive two awards.
“We are honored to receive recognition for these efforts and will continue to work to improve the health of our Knox County families,” said KCHD Senior Director Kevin Parton. “I commend our teams for their innovation and passion as they tackle these important issues.”
About the Knox Pediatric Dental Initiative:
In response to alarming trends in local pediatric dental data, KCHD launched this initiative in 2023. Disparities in access to oral healthcare exist among economically disadvantaged populations and these disparities can impact a child’s health well into their adult years. The KPDI convenes local partners in a collaborative, systemic approach to improve pediatric dental outcomes.
About the Maternal Child Health Workgroup:
The Maternal Child Health Workgroup is an internal initiative to improve KCHD services for the maternal and child health population by increasing interdepartmental collaboration. This initiative was based on identifying how the health department can foster collaboration across programs that have a maternal child health touchpoint.
About Knox County Health Department
The first health department in Tennessee to achieve national voluntary accreditation by the Public Health Accreditation Board, the Knox County Health Department (KCHD) is dedicated to ensuring the conditions in which every resident can be healthy. For more information, visit www.knoxcounty.org/health.
