Announcing Our HCH2018 Award Winners
The National HCH Council is excited to announce the five individuals and organizations to be honored at the Awards Lunch of our 2018 National HCH Conference & Policy Symposium on Thursday, May 17, from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Learn more about the honorees below.
Philip W. Brickner National Leadership Award
John Parvensky, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
John Parvensky is the President and CEO of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH). Under his leadership, CCH’s Stout Street Clinic grew from a primary care clinic serving 200 individuals into an integrated health center serving more than 13,000 unique patients annually. John was an early champion of the proposition that “housing is health care,” developing more than 2,000 supportive housing units and administering 600 housing vouchers for families and individuals without homes. In more than 30 years at CCH, John has focused on the intersection of advocacy for social justice, integrated health care, and housing for those most in need—and he will continue working toward the day when everyone has a home.
Karen Rotondo Award for Outstanding Service
Asma Inge-Hanif, Muslimat Al Nisaa Shelter
The 2018 winner of the Karen Rotondo Award for Outstanding Service is Asma Inge-Hanif, RN, CNM, ANP, Executive Director and Founder of Muslimat Al Nisaa Shelter in Baltimore, MD. For more than 30 years Ms. Inge-Hanif has worked tirelessly caring and advocating for people experiencing homelessness, refugees, trafficking victims and victims of domestic violence. She demonstrates creativity, vision, and collaboration to create change in her community.
Ellen Dailey Consumer Advocate Award
Jacquelyn Hardy, Alabama Regional Medical Services 
A passionate voice for people, Jacqueline Hardy can usually be found on the streets of Birmingham, the chambers of the city council, or the halls of the Alabama state legislators. As someone within supportive housing and recovery, Jackie knew that her community needed love, support, and better public policy. She formed an organization, Action Changes Things (ACT), and began advocating in the state of Alabama. Jackie organized bus trips and spoke before members during sessions to ensure that people convicted of felonies could receive food stamps. Thanks to her work, that law is now in effect. As the founder of ACT she continues to provide education, resources, and support to her community. Jackie is also now working to “Ban the Box” in Alabama and continuing to provide support as a board member with Alabama Regional Medical Services
Willie J. Mackey National Medical Respite Award
Fargo-Moorhead Medical Respite Planning Committee
The Fargo-Moorhead Medical Respite Planning Committee is the winner of the 2018 Willie J. Mackey National Medical Respite Award. A 2012 community assessment identified the need for Medical Respite, and the program launched in 2015 because of commitment from diverse members representing health systems, the housing authority, emergency shelters, state and public health as well as other community agencies. Lack of space forced the program to offer Medical Respite beds at scattered sites, but all clients have consistent community-based case management, and all sites have the common goal of ensuring clients achieve both medical and housing stability. This group demonstrated determination in meeting unmet needs by going all the way to Washington to get permission to allow Medical Respite in federally funded apartments without typical lease agreements. As a result, over 2500 nights of care have been offered with an estimated savings of over $3 million Medicaid dollars.
John N. Lozier Scholarship for New Members
Dean Williams, Neighborcare Health
Dean Williams, a community health worker with Neighborcare Health Homeless Youth Clinic in Seattle, WA, is the recipient of the 2018 John N. Lozier Scholarship for New Members. Having experienced homelessness himself in Seattle, Williams now conducts street and community outreach to help youth without homes connect with vital services. He also works on projects to improve patients’ experience in his clinic, in addition to tabling at drop-ins. Known locally as the “Dragon Ball Z guy” or “the guy with the orange hat,” Williams works every day to build relationships with youth and give back to his community.