This post was written by Sarah McAfee, a former member of our team.
We are proud to announce that CCMU has been awarded the 2013 John R. Moran, Jr. Leadership Award, which is given annually by The Colorado Trust in recognition of an organization’s “outstanding leadership to advance the health and well-being of the people within [its] community.” It’s an honor to be recognized for our work, and a bigger honor to be a part of the larger effort across the state that is leading us toward real, positive change.
For most of our existence as an organization, CCMU has had only one or two paid staff. Our power and our persistence have always come from the wide range of kindred spirits and partners who have shared our big dreams. Having grown now to a staff of five, it continues to be a privilege to work alongside the many great leaders of our state who share our vision for a health care system that meets the needs of all Coloradans.
In this long journey toward an inclusive, affordable, high-functioning health care system, we have learned that one of the most important things we can do is recognize and celebrate the hours of hard work logged and the small successes achieved along the way. Our goals as a state are lofty and ambitious, and it is easy for the problems to feel intractable. However, when we hear from a family who is able to get their child health insurance coverage because of a change we helped make in state policy, or when a new access point opens because of a community’s efforts, we all stand a little taller. And when other health care leaders single you or your organization out to say that what you do matters, well, it feels really good to know someone has noticed your efforts.
The Colorado Trust is one of CCMU’s original supporters; they have believed in our potential from the earliest days of our existence, and we are so proud to have proven ourselves a worthwhile investment. Thank you to the Board of Trustees and all of The Colorado Trust leadership for your vote of confidence in us. And thank you to all our supporters, partners, and friends for all you do to move Colorado forward. The journey continues, and we’re honored to be a part of it with you!