Meet Our Heroes

Volunteers are the lifeblood of many organizations, and Action for Healthy Kids is no exception. Meet our Founding Action for Healthy Kids Board Chair Dr. David Satcher and his wife, Nola, recipients of a national leadership award, and five volunteers from around the country who are our Healthy School Heroes.

Honoring David Satcher, MD, PhD, Founding Chair of Action for Healthy Kids, and Nola Satcher with the first Dr. and Mrs. David Satcher Award for Healthy Kids

Dr. David and Nola Satcher and family members at Get in the Action reception

For their long-time commitment to helping America’s children be healthier and to helping schools become healthier places for our children, Dr. David and Nola Satcher are the first recipients of Action for Healthy Kids’ award for outstanding service and national leadership in children’s health, obesity prevention and school wellness. They have served their country and America’s children well. Dr. Satcher credits his wife, Nola Richardson Satcher, with maintaining the family’s healthy lifestyle by regularly serving fresh fruits, vegetables, low-fat foods and milk, and whole grains.

A long-time advocate for improving public health policy and eliminating health disparities for underserved and the poor, it was as the 16th Surgeon General of the United States that Dr. Satcher issued The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity. The formation of Action for Healthy Kids in 2002, with Dr. Satcher as its founding chairperson, will be part of a legacy to build awareness of the epidemics of childhood obesity and undernourishment, and inspire organizations, schools and individuals to take action. Under Dr. Satcher’s leadership and advocacy, Action for Healthy Kids has grown to a collaboration of more than 70 organizations, corporations and government agencies and 20,000+ volunteers nationwide that last year reached 4.5 million students in 9,200 schools.

Gains that have been – and continue to be – made to address childhood obesity and undernourishment, including the positive impact of Action for Healthy Kids, would not be possible with without the dedication, commitment and passion of the Satchers. We thank and salute them!

Saluting our Healthy School Heroes

Nominated by their peers and recognized for outstanding volunteerism, dedication and passion in helping schools become healthier places for America’s kids. Thank you and congratulations!

Sharon Allen, MPH – After moving with her family from Australia to Maryland, Sharon almost single-handedly reinvigorated that state’s Action for Healthy Kids team last year and benefitted more than 1,200 students. A stay-at-home mom with a background in health and nutrition, under Sharon’s direction, new partnerships were formed; grants were awarded to schools that increased participation in school breakfast; daily physical activity was added to Annapolis after-school programs; and Farm to School strategies have helped improve nutrition in schools.

John Cain – John has become a driving force for healthier kids and schools in Kentucky since becoming involved with Action for Healthy Kids three years ago. Among his accomplishments are building school-community relationships in underserved areas, administering a grant from the Kellogg’s Corporate Citizenship Fund, and actively promoting Action for Healthy Kids’ programs statewide. Often described as “enthusiastic,” John has also helped build relationships with numerous state agencies critical to Action for Healthy Kids’ success.

Adam Fletcher – In 2008, while serving as the State of Washington’s Coordinated School Health manager, Adam became co-chair of the Washington Action for Healthy Kids team. Since then, he has recruited dozens of people and organizations into the Action for Healthy Kids network, and helped other state teams work more effectively. A committed voice for community and youth engagement, Adam also helped expand Students Taking Charge, Action for Healthy Kids’ teen movement, to 10 Seattle high
schools.

Wendy Scholten, M.A.T. – A leader of the Kansas Action for Healthy Kids team since 2005, Wendy has held numerous roles, including co-chair. A physical education teacher by profession, she uses Action for Healthy Kids programs to engage both children and families in healthier lifestyles. Among other things, she coordinates Game On! The Ultimate Wellness Challenge events and family fitness nights at her school and encourages student participation in Fuel Up To Play 60 with creative programming like the Healthy Birthday Club. As a result, her students eat healthier and are more active.

Eric Stern – Eric is a leader in mobilizing students, parents, staff and community in South Florida through multiple affiliations, including the Coordinated School Health Partnership and Alliance for Physical & Health Education, Recreation, Dance and Sport, and within his Palm Beach County school district. Since 2005 he has coordinated the Ronald McDonald House Charities Kids Read, Run & Recycle Marathon Mile! that educates kids about the benefits of good nutrition and activity. He’s successfully increased the number of kids reading and running from 1,500 in 2006 to more than 3,500 last year.