Loretta Fuddy, Health Director for DOH and board member of HAwaii Children's Trust Fund honored with the Jonathan won Award

For Immediate Release: March 22, 2012                                     13-017

                                               

HEALTH DIRECTOR LORETTA FUDDY HONORED FOR HER WORK IN THE PREVENTION OF CHILD MALTREATMENT

HONOLULU – The Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma at Alliant International University has honored Loretta J. Fuddy, director of the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH), with the Jonathan Won Child Maltreatment Prevention Award for her lifelong dedication to and outstanding achievement in the field of child maltreatment, abuse and neglect. The award was presented by Gov. Neil Abercrombie at the 10^th Annual Hawaii Conference, “Preventing, Assessing & Treating Child, Adolescent & Adult Trauma,” held from March 19 to 21 at the Ala Moana Hotel. 

The award is dedicated to the memory of Jonathan Won, who exemplified compassion, wisdom and tirelessness in his efforts on behalf of the prevention of child maltreatment. The honor is given to someone who shares these same qualities and those of an advocate.

“Loretta has a remarkable capacity for leadership,” said Gov. Abercrombie. “She exemplifies the qualities that Jonathan Won lived, and has graced us with her willingness to serve Hawaii’s most vulnerable and advance the health and well-being of all Hawaii children. I could not be prouder to present this award to her.”

“There are so many people who work tirelessly every day to protect Hawaii’s children, and they are all heroes to me because of their love and compassion,” said Director Fuddy,
“I have not been blessed with having my own children, but that must have been in the plan so that I could embrace all children. Hawaii’s families need our support now more than ever; it is so important to look at mentoring children and protecting them. Children are our gifts for the future.”

During the award ceremony, Fuddy’s lifelong dedication and passion advocating for the interests of Hawaii children and families were highlighted. Fuddy is a resident of Honolulu and began work with families and children at the DOH in 1975, serving the public for nearly 38 years. In 2011, Gov. Abercrombie appointed Fuddy director of the DOH, where she previously served in leadership positions as acting director, deputy director, and chief of the department’s Family Health Services Division.

For more information on this news release contact:

Janice Okubo

Communications Office

Phone: (808) 586-4445