DOWNEY - Cerritos College Student Health and Wellness Center received a $20,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente for the college's health education program.Kaiser Permanente's Downey Service Area Chief Operating Officer Jim Branchick and Sheri Bathurst, Community Benefit Manager at Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center presented the check to Steve Richardson, Cerritos College Foundation Executive Director on May 24. The funds will be used to support the campus health center in developing a targeted health outreach campaign to address the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. This is part of a health education program that highlights health issues including obesity, diabetes, dietary needs and how to eat properly. "Prevention is the key in our education," said Nancy Montgomery, Associate Dean of Student Health, Wellness & Veterans, who formed the concept of the health education program. "Our focus is to educate students about using prevention in their health care and to empower them with educational tools so they can make better decisions and choices." "A healthy community is critical to individual health and wellness," said Sheri Bathurst, Community Benefit Manager at Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center. "Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical center applauds Cerritos College for supporting a healthy college community through the STD awareness initiative."

********** Published: June 21, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 10