Health Department honors employees
Maria Kunihiro, a state employee for 44 years, has received the Department of Health's 2006 Incentive Service Award as Employee of the Year.
Bart Aronoff, supervisor for public health preparation and response in the area of bioterrorism, was named Manager of the Year.
Case Management Unit 4, which serves people in Windward Oahu who have developmental disabilities and mental retardation, was honored as the Health Department Team of the Year.
"We are very proud of the commitment and dedication of our public health employees who strive every day to protect and improve the health of the people of Hawaii," said Health Director Chiyome Fukino. "These outstanding individuals and team set an example for all to follow."
Kunihiro has worked 13 years in the department's administrative services office, where she leads 13 clerks. She was recognized for her commitment and dedication and doing whatever is necessary to keep up with a large workload.
Aronoff, branch chief and 12-year health department employee, was recognized for excellence in overseeing the state's Strategic National Stockpile Plan and emergency training to prepare Health Department personnel for a bioterrorism event. He also was noted for significantly improving collaboration between the Health Department and local and national organizations in the emergency response network.
Case Management Unit 4, with eight social workers, a nurse and two support workers, created a system of working together to provide support for clients and families and collaborate better to deal with challenges and issues, the department said.
Kunihiro, Aronoff and CMU-4 will represent the health department in statewide competition for outstanding state government employees Oct. 4.