Preface

Award programs have long been recognized by foundations as opportunities to advance various philanthropic objectives. Some foundations offer significant cash awards to spur scientific innovation, while others have established prizes to honor individuals whose work reflects the values of their founder.

At The California Wellness Foundation, award programs have become valued strategies for informing policymakers, community leaders and other decision-makers about health issues that are important to California. In 2003, we debuted the Champions of Health Professions Diversity Award to honor the work of committed professionals who have helped students and changed systems to ensure that underrepresented minority candidates can succeed in the health professions.

The prizes – and the communications plan that backs each announcement – honor the work of the awardees and raise their profiles across the state. By recognizing these individuals, the Foundation heightens awareness among key audiences of the importance of increasing diversity in the health professions as a strategy to improve the health of all Californians.

This edition of Reflections, about TCWF’s Champions of Health Professions Diversity Award, is authored by David Littlefield, the communications officer who has overseen the development and implementation of the annual communications plan for the champions award. He has marshaled the expertise of a team of communications professionals to tell the stories of each year’s class of champions. These stories have raised the visibility of what can seem at first an esoteric concern, but what is in fact a concrete imperative: California needs to take steps now to ensure that it has a health care workforce large enough and with the cultural and linguistic competencies to provide care to its growing and aging population.

We hope this document will be useful to others considering using strategic communications activities to raise awareness of important health care issues. We encourage your comments and feedback.

Gary L. Yates, President and CEO

The California Wellness Foundation

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