(UNDATED) – Kelly Hostetler is being honored for her work in supporting the health of the St. Joseph County Community.

Hostetler, who is the Executive Director of the St. Joseph County United Way, has been named as a Hometown Health Hero for 2022 by the Michigan Public Health Partnership. The award recognizes individuals and organizations across the State who work tirelessly to maintain and improve the health of their local communities.

Hostetler, who was nominated by the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, says she didn't know she had been nominated until Thursday. ...... {LISTEN}.

CHA Health Officer Rebecca Burns says Hostetler has been instrumental in supporting the health and well-being of St. Joseph County residents for many years. She says the CHA is delighted to see Hostetler's dedication honored through this award.

Burns says Hostetler's assistance to the CHA throughout the pandemic was invaluable. She says Hostetler worked tirelessly to support community vaccination efforts by coordinating volunteers and food for the CHA's mass vaccination clinics. More recently, Hostetler supported efforts to outreach in communities who needed additional access to vaccine and partnered with the CHA mobile units to support community “pop up” vaccination clinics.

Hostetler says this isn't her award, but it belongs to everyone. ...... {LISTEN}.

Hostetler will be honored for her work during a ceremony on April 13 at the Rotunda of the State Capital in Lansing.