Above / In October 2018, the DuPage County Health Department’s Community Center, at 115 N. County Farm Rd., across the pond from the courthouse in Wheaton, will be renamed “Linda A. Kurzawa Community Center.”
DUPAGE COUNTY—The DuPage County Board of Health will recognize the contributions of its longtime board president and rename the Health Department’s Community Center to the “Linda A. Kurzawa Community Center.”
The Community Center will be rededicated in a ceremony during the DuPage County Board of Health meeting on October 11, 2018.
“I can’t think of a better way to recognize our esteemed leader,” said Karen Ayala, Executive Director of the Health Department. “The magnificent Community Center exists thanks to the efforts of Linda Kurzawa.”
A tribute to more than 30 years of service
Known as a passionate advocate and public health leader, Kurzawa has dedicated her time and energy to serving the residents of DuPage County for more than 30 years.
Linda Kurzawa began her community involvement in 1987 as a member of the Thorium Action Group (TAG), and was instrumental in achieving the clean-up of radioactive thorium in West Chicago and the surrounding area. In 1992, she was elected as the District 6 representative on the DuPage County Board and the DuPage County Forest Preserve District Board. While serving on the County Board, she also held the position of Chairwoman for the County Health and Human Services Committee.
As President of the Board of Health and the DuPage County Health Department since 1999, Kurzawa has served for nearly one-third of the agency’s existence. In this role, she established a progressive vision and strategic business plan to ensure the sustainability of public health programming in DuPage County.
The Health Department underwent a financial evolution under the guidance of Kurzawa, which allowed the agency to save for and build the Community Center without assuming debt. The $11 million-dollar state-of-art facility was designed to reduce the stigma of mental illness by providing quality services in an inviting environment.
Dr. Lanny Wilson, Board of Health Vice President, has served alongside Kurzawa on the Board of Health for several years.
“Linda Kurzawa is a respected leader, a visionary and trusted colleague. I’m thrilled to know that visitors to the DuPage County Government Campus and Community Center will see the name Linda Kurzawa in such high regard,” Wilson said.
As President of the Board of Health, Linda Kurzawa oversaw many community initiatives, including:
· Expansion of the urgent care dental clinic;
· The local response to the H1N1 influenza pandemic;
· Initiating the Rx Box drug take-back program;
· Community-wide education regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA); and
· Implementation of integrated care services for behavioral health clients.
An avid supporter of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention Program, Kurzawa was honored as a “Local Hero” by BMW for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in 2007.
The DuPage County Board of Health has resolved…
“That Linda Kurzawa has earned substantial respect, recognition, gratitude, and admiration for her commitment to the public health of DuPage County residents, and the DuPage County Health Department Community Center located at 115 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, Illinois shall now be rededicated and renamed as the LINDA A. KURZAWA COMMUNITY CENTER.”
Story and photos submitted by Don Bolger, Public Information Officer, DuPage County Health Department.
