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School Administrator Honored for Contributions to Health

Pinellas County Schools Pre K-12 Health Education Supervisor Peggy Johns was recently honored at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Steps Program’s Action Institute for her extraordinary contributions in improving the health and well-being of Americans in school, worksite, healthcare or community settings. The "Steps Community Heroes Award-2008," sponsored by the YMCA of the USA, recognizes contributions made by individuals in support of CDC’s Steps Program, which provides funding to communities across the country to create models for how local initiatives can reduce the burden of chronic diseases.

Peggy led a successful movement to pass legislation reinstating health education as a state requirement for high school graduation. In 2006, the Florida legislature approved the bill, and the Florida Department of Education created the Health Opportunities through Physical Education (HOPE) class. Her contributions have also been recognized by community and national leaders, including the Governor’s Council for Physical Fitness.

For more information about CDC’s Steps Program, visit http://www.cdc.gov/steps.