Concord, NH - The Immunization Program in the Division of Public Health Services at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) celebrates the first New Hampshire Childhood Immunization Champion, Elaine “Ellie” Radzevich. She is a medical assistant at Greater Hampstead Family Medicine in Hampstead, New Hampshire.

The award was just launched this year and is given jointly by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the CDC Foundation to recognize individuals who are doing an exemplary job or going above and beyond to promote or foster childhood immunizations in their communities.

"I must say that I am overwhelmed,” said Radzevich. “Thank you for your kind recognition, however, I owe so much both to Dr.Thomas Cammilleri and Connie Cammilleri, R.N., at Greater Hampstead Family Medicine who have provided the opportunity for me to work with their Practice for almost eight years. Of course, it does not hurt at all to be afforded the vaccine opportunities that this great State of New Hampshire has created for its children and adults.”

Success is something of which few can boast, but Elaine Radzevich is among that small number. Her tireless efforts to immunize all New Hampshire residents—young and old—have led to this extraordinary success among both children and adults. The first drive-up flu clinic she organized received a 2011 award for the greatest number of patients immunized against influenza in the state. But it’s not just her organizational capacity that has led to Greater Hampstead Family Medicine’s immunization successes. Her hard work has benefited the center, which also won a prestigious award in 2011 for giving out more adult zoster vaccine than any other center in their region.

"It is front-line staff such as Ellie who make New Hampshire’s state-wide program a success,” said Immunization Program Manager Marcella Bobinsky. “Parents and patients rely on the medical staff to make vaccination recommendations if New Hampshire is to keep vaccine preventable disease at bay. We are all grateful for her hard work.”

For more information about the Childhood Immunization Champion Award, go to www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/champions/index.html. For more information about immunizations in New Hampshire, contact the DHHS Immunization Program at 603-271-4482 or visit the DHHS website at www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/immunization/index.htm.