DES MOINES, IA (Jan. 22, 2018) — Iowa’s Healthiest State Initiative (HSI) announced today (Monday) the 18 finalists for the inaugural HSI awards. Individuals, communities, schools and workplaces will be recognized for advancing efforts to improve the physical, social and emotional well-being of Iowans. In the “Community” category, the City of Harlan is an award finalist. Jami Haberl, Healthiest State Initiative executive director, says “The Healthiest State Initiative is proud to recognize the work these finalists have been doing to improve the overall health and well-being of Iowans. They have set a great example for other individuals, communities, schools and workplaces to emulate. We look forward to sharing their stories at the awards event.”

The winners will be announced at HSI’s inaugural award event on Feb. 15 from 5-7 pm at the Ron Pearson Center in West Des Moines. Each winner will be granted a monetary gift to continue their work focused on improving the health and well-being of their employees, students or citizens. In addition to the awards, Jamie Pollard, director of athletics at Iowa State University, will deliver the keynote address at the event. Based upon his own experiences — a son who has battled cancer four times and his own health crisis in 2015 — Pollard will share an inspirational message on why health matters.

Purchase tickets today

Tickets for the Feb. 15 event are $25 for an individual or $190 for a table of eight. To purchase tickets and learn more about the event visit IowaHealthiestState.com.