FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 6, 2006

CONTACT: Stephanie Garrity, Deputy Health Officer, 410-996-5115 or

Sgt. Adams and Dr. Dababneh Recognized for Outstanding

Community Service in Public Health

April 6, 2006 - At the April 4, 2006 Cecil County Board of Health meeting, County Commissioners President Nelson Bolender and Health Officer Dr. Virginia Bailey presented Outstanding Community Service Awards in Public Health to Sgt. Scott Adams of the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office, and to Nader Dababneh, M.D., FACG, in appreciation of their many contributions and long term commitment to public health in Cecil County.

The award is presented at the county Board of Health meeting annually during Public Health Week, the first week in April, to recognize health care professionals and community members who have made a positive impact on public health in Cecil County. Past award recipients have included John Bennett; Avis Brown; Jane Burton, RN, BSN; Henry Farkas, MD; Joseph Gwiazdowski, D.D.S.; Jui-Chih Hsu, M.D.; Step Mika; Howard Schapiro, D.D.S.; and Richard Szumel, M.D.

Sgt. Adams is a member of the Cecil County Tobacco Task Force and has been at the forefront of enforcement activities to combat tobacco use among youth. Through his dedication and determination, tobacco compliance checks by local law enforcement agencies have been implemented at places where tobacco is sold. Store clerks, managers and owners receive one-to-one education on the importance of compliance with tobacco laws. As a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Officer in Cecil County public and private schools, Sgt. Adams also reinforces the message of drug use prevention, conducting numerous presentations for students and faculty on the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

Dr. Dababneh, as an active member of the Cecil County Cancer Task Force, provides his expertise and guidance to the Health Department’s Colorectal Cancer Screening Program to insure the highest standards for client care. He has presented continuing education sessions on colorectal cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment to community physicians, leading to an increased screening rate for Cecil County residents. Dr. Dababneh also provides colonoscopy services for clients in the Health Department’s Colorectal Cancer Screening Program, never hesitating to accept a patient in his busy schedule.

“Sgt. Adams and Dr. Dababneh are exemplary awardees for Outstanding Community Service in Public Health,” said Dr. Bailey. “ It’s not just the amount of time they have committed to public health activities that deserves recognition but also the positive impact that their work has had on the health of Cecil County residents.”

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