FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, April 23, 2018
CONTACT: Tim Heath (Tim.Heath@state.sd.us), (605) 773-3737 
 

CDC Names Mitchell Doctor Childhood Immunization Champion

PIERRE, S.D. – Dr. Christine Arnold, a pediatrician at Sanford Health in Mitchell, has been named a Childhood Immunization Champion by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to promote immunization among children in their communities.

“Dr. Arnold’s leadership begins with the strong relationships she develops with the parents of the children she cares for,” said Tim Heath, immunization program manager for the South Dakota Department of Health. “Her leadership in initiating and recommending immunization at every patient visit results in better health for her patients and the community she serves.”

In conjunction with National Infant Immunization Week, April 21-28, the CDC and the CDC Foundation honor up to one Champion from each of the 50 U.S. states, eight U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States and the District of Columbia.

“The tremendous success of CDC's immunization programs to protect the nation’s children from vaccine-preventable diseases is a direct result of the efforts of Childhood Immunization Champions,” said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “We cannot overstate the value of the dedication our Champions have shown, which ultimately protects our children, schools and communities from serious diseases.”

Dr. Arnold is board certified in pediatrics from the American Board of Pediatrics.

Read Dr. Arnold’s profile and learn more about the award program at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/champions. 

Improving South Dakota’s age-appropriate immunization rate is one objective of the Department of Health’s 2015-2020 strategic plan, http://doh.sd.gov/strategicplan.

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