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Douglas County Health Champions
Each year, during National Public Health Week, Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health recognizes two Douglas County residents and one local organization for their exceptional efforts to model, encourage and promote health in the Douglas County community.
2025 Recipients
Healthier Together Award Winning Organization: Honor Moon
Honor Moon is an organization providing low-barrier period products to those who need them in Douglas County. Their products are free of charge and free of stigma. Learn more about Honor Moon at https://sites.google.com/view/honormoonlfk/home.
2025 Health Champions
Chrissy Mayer
Chief Community Based Services Officer, DCCCA
Misty Bosch-Hastings
Director, Homeless Solutions Division, City of Lawrence
Michel Loomis 
Michel Loomis retired January 1, 2013, after teaching English and physical education at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School for 31 years. The school gymnasium is referred to as the “The Loomis Gym” because she volunteered to open and supervise the gymnasium for students who wanted to use it before school. Over 25 years ago she helped start a 2-mile fun run for students, and over the years it has become an annual fundraising event that all of the students participate in along with neighbors, teachers and parents. Loomis also started an after-school “Smart Strength” program that’s free and open to all students.
“In teaching the youth of our society to appreciate health and fitness, in modeling healthful living among students, and in opening avenues for lifelong fitness activities to young teens, Michel Loomis impacts the youth, the parents of the youth and the future parents who will raise the next generation of Kansans.” -Lawrence resident Nora Murphy.
Josie Naron
At age 16, Josie Naron says she is pursuing her dream: a career in public health where she can help fight infectious diseases and solve societal issues. Naron has been a volunteer at the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department for more than a year. Her work has included analyzing statistics on childhood injuries and then putting them into graphics for community use and entering immunization information into a statewide database. She’s working on a project that looks at how the lack of transportation can affect residents’ well-being. This summer, she will spend three weeks at Johns Hopkins University for a “Civic Leadership Institute,” where she will study public health, societal issues and community development.
“I was very impressed with Josie the first time I met her. She’s very bright and has passion and interest in learning as much as she can about public health. Though she maintains a rigorous class schedule, participates in school activities and works part-time as a piano teacher, she still wants to contribute to the health of the Lawrence community.” — Kim Ens, Director of Clinic Services at the Health Department
Ellen Young 
Ellen Young has shared her passion for running and fitness with countless others as a longtime leader at Red Dog’s Dog Days community workouts and a volunteer coordinator for numerous races in the region, including the Red Dog Run, Jingle Jog and Mass Street Mile. Young became a certified running coach 3 years ago, and founded a running group, “Running for the Hill of It,” which has about 40 members. Young enjoys helping others and believes in paying it forward. Before joining Red Dog’s Dog Days 17 years ago, Young was an overweight mom trying to get in shape. She could barely run a half-mile, but she never gave up, and 6 months later, she ran her first 5K. Since then, she has completed numerous races, including four marathons.
“First and foremost, Ellen is a kind and giving person in all ways. She is always willing to help - whatever the situation. When it comes to health and being a running coach she is beyond passionate about helping others. She never makes me feel like I’m failing or not doing enough. Every move and every person is valuable to her. It makes me want to keep running just to be able to spend time with her.” — Janice Olker, member of “Running for the Hill of It”
Logan Brown
Free State High School senior Logan Brown, 18, has volunteered for 3 years at GaDuGi SafeCenter, which provides 24-hour services for women, children, and men affected by sexual violence. She began her volunteer work by answering phones and filing paperwork, but soon wanted to do more. She created and organized an annual “Shoppin’ for Survivors” fundraiser, which has helped keep programs operating. Brown also has helped victims in recovering and seeking justice through her volunteer work at GaDuGi SafeCenter and the District Attorney’s office. Brown is the Kansas representative for the D.A.R.E. Youth Advisory and she works with the Kansas Juvenile Officers Association to help children and prevent drug abuse.
“I hold Logan in the highest esteem, and I can attest she is not one to back down from a challenge, either academic or personal. She finishes what she starts and never lets adversity get her down. Logan gives me hope for a better tomorrow.” - Chrissy Heikilla, GaDuGi SafeCenter Director
Rick Martin 509
Lawrence Chef Rick Martin has made it his mission to educate diverse audiences about how to prepare healthy foods and the importance of a healthy diet. Martin designed and piloted cooking classes for Douglas County’s food bank Just Food and these classes have taught hundreds of low-income families how to eat on a budget. He also helped the food bank secure a produce cooler. Martin has worked extensively with Lawrence Public School’s Farm to School program, where he sits on the program’s advisory board. He has provided food demonstrations in school cafeterias for hundreds of middle school students. Additionally, he has become a statewide speaker and food service staff trainer. During the past year, Martin founded the Lawrence Chefs and Farmers Alliance, a coalition to connect chefs and farmers to facilitate restaurant purchases from local farms. Martin also supports the local economy through Limestone Pizza by purchasing locally-grown produce and locally-raised meats.
"Martin has redefined the mission of the food pantry. It’s no longer about giving out quantities of food, but rather giving people quality food and the skills to use it. We owe everything to Rick Martin. We wouldn’t be the organization we are today without him. He has made huge impacts on the community’s health." — Just Food
Di Xie
Di Xie, a Free State High School junior, is passionate about encouraging youth to eat more fruits and vegetables, and she does this through her work as a student gardener in the “Growing Food, Growing Health” project. The project evolves around growing food in a garden at West Middle School and then serving it in the school’s cafeteria or selling it at The Community Mercantile. Xie will be entering her fourth year with the project, and she began by working in the garden and learning how to grow produce. The next year she became a mentor gardener and helped her peers learn how to plant and care for the garden. Xie also has spoken about the project at public events and meetings, including the 2013 Farm to School Celebration.
“Lots of kids can get in the dirt, but we’re looking for youth who can influence their peers and speak to what we’re trying to do here, and in that way Di’s quite extraordinary. She’s a good communicator. She has a tremendous work ethic and she’s one of the students we can rely on to self-motivate.” — Nancy O'Connor, Director of Education and Outreach at The Community Mercantile
Linda Cottin
In 2008, Linda Cottin started a weekly farmers market at her family owned hardware store Cottin’s Hardware, 1832 Massachusetts St. She continues to coordinate the market, which consists of local vendors selling goods, produce and hot food. She played an instrumental role in the implementation of Market Match, a local program designed to make healthy foods at farmers markets more accessible and affordable to residents participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly called food stamps. In 2010, Linda also helped implement a farm-toschool lunch program at Cordley Elementary School. In its inaugural year, the program provided a local meal to more then 350 students. Cottin also has helped establish several school garden programs, including the one at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School. She continues to raise money and organize volunteers for these programs.
“The entire reason Central has the amazing garden that it does is because of Linda. She brought a large number of community members, ideas, materials and moral support to make our garden grow. One of the great things about Linda is she is an amazing community resource. She builds great relationships, and she’s able to connect them.” — Laura Leonard, Central Middle School garden coordinator
Marilyn Hull
Since 2004, Marilyn Hull has been program and communications officer at the Douglas County Community Foundation. She worked at the University of Kansas and Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center prior to joining the foundation. In 2009, she co-founded LiveWell Lawrence, a coalition that has grown from fewer than 15 members to more than 150. She served as the first chair of the coalition, and since then, has served the coalition in a variety of capacities. She currently is chair elect of the coalition’s Healthy Built Environment work group. More than $2 million in grant funding has flowed into Douglas County to support the work of the coalition, which promotes healthy eating, active living and tobacco-free lifestyles. In 2015, Hull was selected by the Lawrence City Commission to chair a 10-member Lawrence Pedestrian-Bike Issues Task Force. The task force has prepared a report that encourages development of pedestrian and bike infrastructure.
“It was Marilyn’s vision, leadership and energy that brought many of the health providers in Lawrence together to form LiveWell Lawrence. That organization has truly made a difference in improving the lives of many of our citizens.” — David Ambler, Lawrence-Douglas County Health Board member
Evan Jorn
Evan Jorn spent his career as a social worker, industrial engineer and executive director of a nonprofit in Kansas and Florida. During that time, he never played pickleball. It wasn’t until 10 years ago when he was retired and a volunteer for the Meal on Wheels program at the Lawrence Senior Center that someone asked him to play pickleball. He did, and he was hooked. Once Jorn started playing and talking to others about pickleball, the number of players quickly outgrew the senior center. In 2009, Jorn started teaching pickleball classes through Lawrence Parks and Recreation, and a year later, he volunteered to sign up and pay the dues to become an official pickleball ambassador through the USA Pickleball Association. He then successfully helped advocate for more indoor and outdoor places to play pickleball. His enthusiasm for pickleball is contagious. He has compiled an email list of more than 300 pickleball players and sends them information about when and where they can play pickleball, including area tournaments. In December, Jorn was showered with thank-you notes in the shape of pickleball paddles during a surprise party. They described him as kind, big-hearted, patient, an organizational guru, director of fun and wonderful listener.
“Pickleball has saved my life. This is a super group of caring people inspired by Evan’s example. He’s good at including other people and is a great role model for all of us.” — Laurie Bottenfield
Adam and Rachel Rolf
When Adam and Rachel Rolf’s son, JJ, was 3 years old, they began looking for opportunities for him to engage in activities with other children. He had been diagnosed with two genetic syndromes that cause intellectual and fine motor disabilities. During their research, they came across the Special Olympics Young Athletes program for children, ages 3 to 7, with intellectual disabilities. There wasn’t one in Douglas County or the surrounding area, so they decided to start one. The Young Athletes program introduces basic sports skills like running, kicking and throwing, and it also teaches children how to play with others. The Rolfs coordinate the Douglas County program, which typically meets twice a month for an hour at Sunset Hill Elementary School. Adam Rolf, a physical therapist, and Rachel Rolf, an attorney, said they thoroughly enjoy their volunteer work and seeing the children, including their son, thrive by participating in the program.
“It has truly warmed my heart to watch my son, Ridley, grow as he has participated in the program. We had tried other organized activities, but Ridley couldn’t participate due to his disability. Thanks to Adam and Rachel, he has an opportunity to learn, grow and have fun.” — Jill Fitzmorris
Melissa Hoffman 
Melissa Hoffman, a registered nurse, has dedicated her career to promoting health and wellness of expectant and new parents. She is certified in childbirth and breastfeeding education. She facilitates a peer-to-peer perinatal mood support group at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. She is a founder of Build Your Village of Douglas County and Postpartum Support International of Kansas, organizations dedicated to strengthening education and services for women and families coping with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders in Kansas. As state coordinator of Postpartum Support International, Hoffman provides support to families and provides maternal mental health education for communities across Kansas.
“Melissa’s work to increase awareness and address the intersection of mental health and maternal health has had an important, positive impact in our community. She has worked tirelessly to enhance social support for women through education, social support groups and networks.” — Vicki Collie-Akers, of KU Center for Community Health and Development
Aimee Polson
Aimee Polson is a founding member the Common Ground Program, a community gardening and urban agriculture program created by the City of Lawrence in 2012. She has been the project coordinator for the Garden Incubator at John Taylor Park, Seventh and Walnuts streets, since its inception. Polson has devoted countless hours to designing, building and continuously expanding the unique garden area. The Garden Incubator nurtures beginning gardeners, including children from the Ballard Community Center, and beginning and experienced gardeners of all ages while also providing startup opportunities for aspiring food producers. Produce from the Garden Incubator also has helped feed people in the community. Polson, who works at KU Endowment Association, received a Master of Regional and Community Planning degree from Kansas State University with an emphasis on horticulture therapy.
“More than six years ago, Aimee answered the City’s call for proposals to use available public lands for community gardening initiatives. Aimee’s idea of a Garden Incubator has successfully met and exceeded anyone’s expectations, and it’s because of her dedication and tireless work.” — John Thornburg, Lawrence community gardener
Mitchell Tegmeier
Mitchell Tegtmeier, a Eudora Middle School physical education and health teacher who has spent nearly a decade with the district, is credited with constantly thinking outside of the box in finding ways to promote lifelong wellness to students and the Eudora community. He has advocated through projects and seeking grant funding to help students, staff and neighborhood families gain access to workout equipment and other wellness activities. A few initiatives he has led in the Eudora community include the middle school’s summer conditioning program that includes more than 100 students daily; the popular Read and Bike Lab at the school library; an early advocate for the middle school’s Outdoor Fitness & Learning Center that opened last fall; and, motivating the district to renovate and open the new Cardinal Cardio workout room complete with heart-rate monitors to help students and school staff members and families better benefit from their workouts.
“Mitchell Tegtmeier is the brainchild in reforming the way our Eudora Middle School and even entire school district and community looks at health and fitness,” said Shanda Hurla, executive director of the Eudora Schools Foundation. “For more than six years, he has been instrumental in starting numerous programs to increase student wellness.”
Dee Boeck and Gene Wee
Dee Boeck and Gene Wee are founding members of runLawrence, a nonprofit running club, and longtime key organizers of the Thanksgiving Day 5K race in North Lawrence, which has become a tradition in the Lawrence community. Because planning, organization and hosting of the race relies completely on volunteers led by Boeck and Wee, proceeds from the 5K benefit an awards fund from which Douglas County schools and external clubs are eligible to apply. The fund has helped support the popular Marathon Clubs that have formed at all Lawrence elementary schools as well as two schools in Eudora, the Smart Strength program at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, the Mini-Mocs Running Group at Haskell Indian Nations University and the Sheppard Shoe fund via Douglas County CASA, which purchases badly needed running shoes for foster care children. Since 2013, the Thanksgiving Day 5K has generated more than $62,000 to support clubs and activities that instill a lifetime love of fitness and health for young people in Douglas County.
“Dee and Gene truly exemplify the idea of ‘health champions’ in every sense of the word,” said Elizabeth Burger, a member of runLawrence. “We may never know how many lives have been touched by their work because thousands of kids participate in the marathon clubs over the years. However, simply seeing the smile of even one child crossing the finish line at the Thanksgiving Day 5K or reach his or her marathon club goal says it all.”