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Specialized Public Health Nursing Program

Jeanie Ming receives Gerald A. Wagner Award

Congratulations to Jeanie Ming, a Registered Nurse (RN) and Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP) with the Child Abuse Services Team (CAST), on receiving the 2005 Gerald A. Wagner Excellence in Health Education Award.

Jeanie is a 26-year County employee and has been examining abused children both at CAST and at the Orangewood Children's Home since 1984. She has become a nationally recognized expert in examining sexually abused children and plays a key role in CAST's mission by reducing trauma for child victims during the investigation of alleged abuse.

"Jeanie's amazing ability to do her job in her unique, gentle "Jeanie" fashion makes a positive difference every day in the ability of all CAST staff members to do our jobs in the best way we know how," said Joan Kilgore, CAST staff member.

During her examinations, the essence of Jeanie's approach is to put the child at ease while obtaining the needed information. She has learned to perform magic tricks, which she uses to help children feel more at ease, and personally produced the creative, child-friendly look of the CAST playroom and offices. To date, Jeanie has provided more than 8,500 examinations on children and has made more than 400 professional presentations to help educate others on the subject of child abuse.

In addition to teaching about examining children, her presentations discuss the subject of child abuse in general - the history, population, system, effects on the child, abusers, prevention, court system, and the current picture nationally.

She shares her knowledge, expertise and health education techniques at many conferences, seminars and meetings throughout the U.S. and abroad, and has provided presentations in England, Saipan and Guam. Jeanie has also served as an officer and member of many national, state and local organizations, which has allowed her to positively influence the lives of others, both directly and indirectly.

The Gerald A. Wagner Excellence in Health Education Award was first established in 2000 by the Orange County Coalition for Health Educators (OCCHE), and honors Orange County professionals who have demonstrated excellence in the healthcare field. OCCHE was founded in 1997 to promote health and provide leadership in order to improve the health of the community through education, policy, collaboration and consultation.

HCA & CAST staff members congratulated Jeanie Ming on receiving the 2005 Gerald A. Wagner Award during a presentation on April 4 at the CAST Office. Pictured (above) are Mubula Naku, Sally Wurth, Dr. Gerald Wagner and Jeanie Ming.