CHAP is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2009 Health Care Action Awards, Mother Love, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich and Val Zavala.
Mother Love is a published author, veteran of television sitcoms and radio talk and music shows, film actress, advice columnist and motivational speaker and humorist. She has lost over 100 pounds and has improved her diabetes management through hard choices and healthy lifestyle changes. She speaks to audiences across America on health, love and life issues. She is the 2009 Spokesperson for ADA’s Choose To LIVE! campaign geared towards women of color age 35 and over.
Michael D. Antonovich, a native of Los Angeles County, has served the two million residents of Los Angeles County’s Fifth Supervisorial District. As a government/history teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District in 1966, Ms. Antonovich credits his fifth grade teacher for the inspiration to enter public life and was elected to the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees in 1969. He served in the California State Assembly from 1972 to 1978 and rose to become the Republican Whip.
In 1980, Mr. Antonovich was elected to serve the people of Los Angeles County as a member of the Board of Supervisors. His 29 years on the Board has been characterized by his determined defense of taxpayers and their right to limited and effective government. He has been a stalwart advocate for the vital role played by Southern California community clinics in our regional healthcare system.
Val Zavala is an anchor/reporter for KCET’s weekly newsmagazine, SoCal Connected. She has been at KCET since 1987. For sixteen years Ms. Zavala was a vital part of the award-winning series, Life & Times, serving as an anchor, co-anchor and reporter.
Ms. Zavala came to KCET with six years reporting experience at commercial news stations. She has covered major issues impacting southern California politics, education, health care, environment, demographics and growth. She has also profiled dozens of southern California’s elected officials, activists, artists and thinkers making a difference in our communities. Ms. Zavala gave voice to the diverse Southern California community, creating connections that help to establish a healthy community for all its residents.
The CHAP Health Action awards will be presented at CHAP’s annual gala on May 1, 2009. For information, please call (626) 993-1220.
