Earlier this month, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation announced recipients of the 2007 Community Health Leaders award, honoring individuals who overcome daunting obstacles to improve health and health care in their communities.

Among the ten winners was Monte Fox, diabetes project manager, White Earth Tribal Health (White Earth, Minnesota). In describing the work for which he was honored, Community Health Leaders reports:

Fox has developed culturally-sensitive programs to promote healthier lifestyles, including a diabetes camp for adults and a summer survivor program for kids, as well as ... games focused on education and prevention of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Fox successfully negotiated for a podiatry clinic that in the last four years has saved more than 20 limbs from amputation.

We have just begun working with the White Earth Tribal Courts on a truancy prevention initiative and have enjoyed starting to get to know several community members. Congratulations, Mr. Fox!