Congratulations to our 2024 award and scholarship winners! Each year, members of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council nominate the outstanding caretakers and advocates in the field of homeless health care, and each year we have the enormous privilege of celebrating incredible, passionate people working to bring an end to homelessness. Read on to learn about each of them and their contributions to the health and well-being of the most vulnerable among us.
Philip W. Brickner National Leadership Award
Sister Adele O’Sullivan, CSJ, MD, Circle the City
Sister Adele O’Sullivan has dedicated her life to providing health care to individuals facing homelessness. Her commitment to serving the underserved led her to work in various Arizona healthcare settings before founding Circle the City in 2008. Sister Adele’s tireless efforts have been widely recognized. Through her compassion, innovation, and leadership, Sister Adele O’Sullivan has made a lasting impact on the lives of those experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County, inspiring others to create a society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Ellen Dailey Consumer Advocate Award
Zsa Zsa Floyd, Public Health — Seattle & King County
Zsa Zsa Floyd organized the first homeless march in Eugene, Ore., while living in her car with her kids. “I had $1,800 in my pocket and two jobs but no one would rent to me.” Her penchant for advocacy led her to Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Health Care for the Homeless Network (HCHN) and its Community Advisory Group (CAG). Zsa Zsa currently serves as CAG’s Vice Chair, where she develops agendas for the executive board, determines training needs, facilitates meetings, and continues her outreach work on the streets.
Karen Rotondo Award for Outstanding Service
Bernadette Creaven, Seattle Roots Community Health
For the past 22 years, Bernie Creaven, RN, has served as an outreach nurse in the HCH program at Country Doctor Community Health Center, now called Seattle Roots Community Health. Bernie has championed trauma-informed care and harm reduction practices and successfully engaged in legislative advocacy for health insurance coverage and access to overdose prevention strategies. A colleague says Creaven’s clear love of her work “has rippled out to inspire others” — nurses, organizations, and patients alike.
William J. Mackey National Medical Respite Award
Annette Rodriguez, Yakima Neighborhood Health Services
Annette Rodriguez is Chief Housing and Homeless Services Officer for Yakima Neighborhood Health Services in Washington, where she oversees the Health Care for the Homeless Program, Supportive Housing of nearly 200 units, medical respite care, and various assistance programs. During her 30-plus years at YNHS, Annette is recognized as a leader and mentor for both new and tenured service providers. She is particularly effective in her ability to make the connections between client engagement, housing, and health care.
John N. Lozier Scholarship for New Members
Yuval Tankel, San Francisco Community Health Center
Yuval Tankel conducts street outreach in the Tenderloin District and surrounding areas of San Francisco with a team of community members to help link consumers to medical, dental, and behavioral health services. He also provides linkage to harm reduction supplies and counseling to aid in the fight against accidental overdoses. Additionally, Tankel facilitates weekly support groups to assist consumers in increasing their knowledge and awareness around health topics and support them in building community.
