Fairfax County Executive Receives Physician Award

From the Medical Care for Children Partnership: Patricia Harrison, Fairfax County deputy county executive of health and human services, will be honored at the Medical Care for Children Partnership Foundation’s (MCCP) "Celebrating our Partners in Health" gala on Saturday, June 3 at the Fairfax Country Club. Harrison will receive the Dr. Jorge Arnoldson Award, given annually to a person who exemplifies the generosity of heart and spirit of the late physician from Burke. Arnoldson was one of the earliest to volunteer for MCCP's safety net for children in Fairfax County who do not qualify for other state or federal aid programs. Fairfax County has been a key player in this innovative public-private partnership since its inception.

With 30 years of service in Fairfax County, Harrison began her career in 1986 and became deputy county executive of health and human services in 2009. In this capacity, she has transformed the health and human services system to provide better services and support to more residents, and to move underserved members of the community toward a more stable future. Harrison’s areas of practice and leadership focus throughout her career have included creating new approaches to community involvement; creating opportunities for vulnerable and underrepresented populations; working to transform systems to ensure better coordination and service delivery; improving operational efficiencies; addressing inequities and disparities; and improving outcomes for children, youth and families.

MCCP raises funds to provide medical and dental care for its 3,500 enrolled children from low-income, uninsured, working families in Fairfax County. The mission — to ensure that all eligible children have access to a medical and dental home -— is possible through the support of corporations, foundations, individuals and health care providers like the late Arnoldson, who provide pro bono services.

Other awardees at the gala include those receiving the Community Partner Award: Kaiser Permanente, Pediatric Specialists of Northern Virginia, Dr. Michael Chung and his Softouch Dental team, Capital Area Pediatrics and Inova Health System. MCCP's newest partners will also be recognized: Neighborhood Health Virginia; Northern Virginia Community College's Medical Education Campus Dental Hygienist Program; Bailey’s Elementary School for the Arts and Science; and CASA de Virginia.

Tickets and sponsorships for the gala are available at www.mccpfoundation.org. Serving as master of ceremonies for the third year in a row will be news anchor David Culver of NBC4. Many special guests are expected, including local officials and athletes.

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