Annual Event Celebrates 20 Years of Nevada Big Shots
20th Annual Silver Syringe Awards and Fundraiser Set for April

(April 4, 2018)—Immunize Nevada is hosting the 20th Annual Silver Syringe awards in Reno and Las Vegas in conjunction with National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), April 21-28, and celebrates 20 years of immunization successes in the Silver State. 
The Silver Syringe Awards highlights one of public health’s greatest accomplishments – immunizations. Individuals and organizations who go above and beyond in preventative health efforts are honored at the two ceremonies for their life-saving work as healthcare champions throughout Nevada. Immunize Nevada and their partners toast these trailblazers and dedicates this exceptional night to them.
The northern Nevada awards, set for Thursday, April 19 at 6 p.m. at the Nevada Museum of Art, kicks off with author and parent advocate Mikalee Byerman who will be sharing her personal experience with this season’s flu and how she almost lost her daughter to it. Welcoming southern Nevada winners and attendees on Thursday, April 26 at 6 p.m. at the Dragon Ridge Country Club in Henderson, is HPV cancer survivor Jason Mendelsohn recounting his experience with a stage IV diagnosis at the age of 44. 

“Silver Syringe is a prestigious award and the only award that celebrates immunization champions in Nevada,” said Immunize Nevada Executive Director, Heidi Parker. “Both events give us the opportunity to recognize passionate individuals and organizations that are committed to making Nevada a healthier state.”

NORTHERN NEVADA WINNERS
• Outstanding Childhood Immunization Program: Terrie Flaherty, MSN, RN, CCM – Health Plan of Nevada
• Outstanding Adolescent Immunization Program: Community Health Alliance
• Outstanding Adult Immunization Program: Julie Dums, RN, CHN II – Nevada Division of Public & Behavioral Health, Community Health Services
• Outstanding Influenza Immunization Program: Douglas County Health
• Outstanding Rural Immunization Program: Renown Health, Silver Springs
• Outstanding Pharmacy Immunization Program: Alison Toigo, Pharm D – Banner Churchill Community Hospital
• Outstanding Media Partner: Reno Media Group
• Outstanding Community Partner: Northern Nevada HOPES Clinic
• Outstanding Corporate Partner: Rotary Club of Reno Centennial Sunset
• Innovation In Immunization: Nevada’s Chief School Nurses
• Outstanding Volunteer: Daniel DiChiara – Student, University of Nevada
• Outstanding Medical Assistant: Karla Reyes, RMA – Community Health Alliance
• Outstanding Immunization Nurse: Lynnie Shore, RN, BSN – Washoe County Health District
• Outstanding Physician Champion: Vanessa Slots, MD – Renown Health
• Outstanding Immunization Champion: Senator Julia Ratti – Nevada Legislature

SOUTHERN NEVADA WINNERS
• Outstanding Childhood Immunization Program: Nevada Health Centers
• Outstanding Adolescent Immunization Program: Sheri McPartlin, RN, MEd – Clark County School District
• Outstanding Adult Immunization Program: Southern Nevada Health District’s Immunization Program
• Outstanding Influenza Immunization Program: Mary Jo Solon, RN, BSN, MSN – Optum Care Nevada
• Outstanding Rural Immunization Program: Beth W. Ennis, MS, APRN-BC, FNP, CHN IV – Nevada Department of Public and Behavioral Health
• Outstanding Pharmacy Immunization Program: Jennifer Reeves, PharmD – Walmart Health and Wellness
• Outstanding Media Partner: Vegas Inc’s HealthCare Quarterly
• Outstanding Community Partner: Children’s Advocacy Alliance
• Outstanding Corporate Partner: UnitedHealthcare
• Innovation In Immunization: Johan Bester, MBChB, PhD, MPhil – UNLV School of Medicine
• Outstanding Volunteer: Bandana Paija – ProScribe
• Outstanding Medical Assistant: Sidney Ty Branch – Las Vegas Paiute Tribe Health and Human Services
• Outstanding Immunization Nurse: Anna Cabiling, RN
• Outstanding Physician Champion: Joseph P. Hardy, MD – Touro University, Nevada
• Outstanding Immunization Champion: Monce Espinosa, Health Plan of Nevada

In addition to Silver Syringe winners being recognized at the annual dinner event, a number of provider offices, hospitals, tribal health centers and post-acute care facilities from throughout Nevada will be recognized for meeting Healthy People 2020 goals of high immunization rates. A complete list of the awardees can be found at Healthy People 2020 Statewide Winners.

Silver Syringe began in 1998 to celebrate Nevada’s immunization successes and champions. Today, the event has become a statewide tradition for Nevada’s immunization and healthcare partners. This year’s event is generously supported by: Boyd Gaming, Carson Tahoe Health, Cigna, Community Health Alliance, Nevada State Immunization Program, Northern Nevada HOPES, Renown Health, Silver Sage Center for Family Medicine, SilverSummit Healthplan, Smith's Food & Drug Company, UnitedHealthcare

Immunize Nevada is widely recognized as Nevada’s trusted resource for immunizations and community health for all ages by fostering education and statewide collaboration. Immunize Nevada’s vision is healthy communities across Nevada protected from vaccine-preventable disease. For more information, visit ImmunizeNevada.org