(LANSING) – Kelly Hostetler received an award for her help in trying to make St. Joseph County a healthier community.

During a ceremony Wednesday morning in the Michigan State Capitol's Rotunda, Hostetler was one of seven individuals and organizations to be given the Hometown Health Hero Award for 2022. The awards are given by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services annually during Michigan Public Health Week.

Hostetler was nominated for the award by the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. She partnered with the CHA's Access to Healthcare Committee to design and execute a plan targeting the COVID-19 vaccination rate. The program provided COVID vaccines, free wellness screenings and a free dinner for those who participated.

Through these efforts, the vaccination rate improved to over 50 percent with 1 dose of vaccine by October 3, 2021.

Hostetler says this is not “her” award, this is being shared with so many others.. ...... {LISTEN}.

Hostetler joins a long list of individuals and organizations from Southern Michigan who have received either the Hometown Health Hero Award of the Jean Chabut Health Policy Champion Award since they were first given out in 2004.