Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller Receives 2022 National Association of Counties Achievement Award
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller Receives 2022 National Association of Counties Achievement Award (Cook County, IL) — Last week, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller was recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents. NACo recognized Commissioner Miller for her development of a countywide CPR and AED awareness and training campaign for all Cook County employees that was formed as a result of legislation championed by Commissioner Miller. The program also expanded access to “Hands-Only or Bystander” CPR/AED training programs to assist in reducing incidents of death due to cardiac arrest or heart attack, both in the workplace and at home.
“I am honored that the National Association of Counties has recognized our work to ensure Cook County employees and residents are prepared to intervene with life-saving techniques in the event of a cardiac emergency,” said Commissioner Donna Miller. “Education and training efforts are crucial to improving health outcomes for those who experience cardiac distress, and I’m proud that our office is playing a part in keeping our residents safe and healthy.”
Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more. Started in 1970, NACo’s annual Achievement Awards program is designed to recognize county government innovations. Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received.
“All across the country, counties are working tirelessly to support residents and drive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said NACo President Larry Johnson. “This year’s Achievement Award-winning programs showcase how counties work every day to build healthy, safe and thriving communities.”
When Commissioner Miller first took office, she helped implement in-person CPR and AED training. However, due to the pandemic, in-person training had to be put on hold. In February of 2021, a virtual “Hands-Only” CPR training program was developed in conjunction with Cook County Human Resources and the American Heart Association, which was made available for all newly hired and current Cook County employees. The virtual training launched on Cook County’s virtual training platform that same month. Hundreds of employees along with elected officials and department heads have taken part in the “Hands-Only” CPR/AED training including the Cook County Board President and staff, members of the Board of Commissioners and staff, and executives and staff from agencies of separately elected officials and Cook County Health.
This effort is particularly important for African Americans, who have higher instances of heart disease, but are less likely to have bystander CPR performed when suffering from cardiac arrest. Nearly half of all non-Hispanic African American adults have some form of cardiovascular disease, but are 30-50% less likely to have bystander CPR performed than white adults. Having CPR initiated by a bystander when someone is suffering from cardiac arrest can almost double the chances of survival.
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller Receives 2022 National Association of Counties Achievement Award
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