beginning at 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 4, at the Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave.,

Aurora. The ceremony is an annual Health Department event honoring those “hidden heroes of

public health” throughout Kane County during National Public Health Week, April 2-8. This

year’s awardees are:

• Bruce Conley was nominated for his work through Conley Outreach Community

Services, the service he founded in the 1980s to meet the need for professional

bereavement counseling. He also has been instrumental in founding numerous

bereavement support groups throughout the area.

• As a member of Companeros de Salud, Maricela Perez chaired the group’s Diabetes

Committee, which researched the barriers that non-speaking, diabetic individuals faced

when seeking services and programs available in the Aurora area. The group was able

to secure a $400,000 federal grant to open the Center for Diabetic Wellness at the end

of 2004.

• Dean Akey is recognized for forming the Kane County Medical Reserve Corps’ Rescue

Riders, a group of local motorcycle owners who have volunteers to become certified in

first aid and whose increased mobility could be used during a natural or man-made

disaster in which transportation is vital.

To be eligible for the award, nominees must be residents of Kane County, promote principles of

public health in professional, public or volunteer work in Kane County; network or collaborate

with community groups to help provide or promote public health to improve life for others;

promotes a positive image of public health in Kane County; and is viewed as a leader in the