Above: A party to conclude Mental Health Awareness Month will include honoring residents for their contributions to the community. (Image processed from flyer)
In two weeks, the community will be invited to “Celebrate Wellness.” The reception will feature music, art and refreshments in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month.
It will also include the presentation of the annual Laurie Sugarman Whittier Wellness Awards. This year’s recipient is Southborough resident Dr. Safdar Medina.
The event will be held at the Community House, 28 Main Street, on Wednesday, May 29th from 6pm. A $5 donation is suggested to support his SYFS programs such as Winter Wishes and Summer Camperships. Venmo is acceptable.
Prizes will be awarded at 7 p.m.
I had some hunch as to why Medina would be chosen for this prestigious award. community hero. However, I wanted to hear the opinion of the youth committee that selected him, so I contacted them.
“Everyone nominated this year is deserving of recognition and has contributed to our community in a variety of wonderful ways, and will be recognized at our Celebrate Wellness event,” said Chair Lauren Ritchie. I answered.
She preceded this with a lengthy eulogy taken from one of the letters nominating Medina for his contributions to our community over the years. I’ll share some of those highlights with you.
Medina’s volunteer work includes serving as a member of the Southboro Board of Health, the Southboro Medical Advisory Team, Encompass (Northboro-Southboro Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition), the Northboro-Southboro School Equity Coalition, and the Southboro Neighborhood Peace Coalition .
As a member of Neighbors for Peace, he “plays an integral role in promoting cultural diversity, acceptance, understanding, and equity in our community” and works with the town to raise awareness of racial injustice. Contributed to the organization of the entire event.
Last year, he helped with intake interviews, physical exams and care when immigrants were taken into Southboro custody without prior notice. “He came to high schools to perform physical exams on immigrant high school students, and called elementary and middle school students at their homes (hotel rooms). He knew they needed medical facilities. , I accepted these students into my clinic.”
He has volunteered at vaccine clinics and provided medical exams during the pandemic for student-athletes who cannot see a doctor to get clearance to play Algonquin sports.
These are just a few of many examples, but “he was kind, caring, empathetic, smart, reasonable, and never stopped from his mission to protect and empower our youth.” I will never forget it.”
