This past Tuesday, the Board of Health presented the COVID-19 Response Team with the Mary Mortensen Public Health Award.

The award was presented to the COVID-19 Response Team comprised of the Ashland Police Department, Fire Department, and School and Community Nurses for, “handling the complex and unprecedented issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic; despite the incredible challenges they faced, together they coordinated services, and devised a forceful response to the complexities of COVID-19.”

As the Proclamation states, “Ashland’s COVID-19 Response Team personifies professionalism and Public Service and demonstrates that when working together, a community can navigate through an issue as unforeseen as a pandemic to keep our community safe, we thank them for their selflessness and dedication.”

At the meeting, Fire Chief Robie, Fire Captain Moraghan, Acting Police Chief Briggs, and Head nurse of public schools Audrey LaCroix were in attendance to accept the award.

The Mary Mortensen Public Health Award is an honor given by the Board of Health in honor of the late Mary Mortensen, a tireless advocate for public health. She was incredibly driven to improve the quality of life for the community. She selflessly accomplished so many initiatives and programs, many of which exist today.