Annual Awards
Congratulations to the 2022 Award Winners!
Winners have been announced for the 2022 Healthiest State Annual Awards! The winners were recognized for their efforts to improve the physical, social and emotional well-being of their students, employees and fellow Iowans.
The winners in the 10 categories include:
Healthy HometownSM Powered by Wellmark Community Award
- Dallas Center
- Iowa Great Lakes Region
- Manning
Individual, presented by Malvern Bank
- Daira Driftmier, Hy-Vee KidsFit
Health Care, presented by the Iowa Medical Society
- UnityPoint Clinic Pediatrics – Walnut Creek (West Des Moines)
K-12 School, presented by HealthPartners UnityPoint Health
- Clay Elementary (Southeast Polk CSD)
Out-of-School Program, presented by the Iowa Department of Public Health
- Girls on the Run of Central Iowa
Workplace
Small
- Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation (Grinnell)
Medium
- Merchants Bonding Company (West Des Moines)
Large
- Optimae LifeServices (Des Moines)
Early Care, presented by the Iowa Department of Public Health
Small
- Neverland Child Care (Sioux City)
Large
- Theodore's Academy Preschool & Childcare (Sioux City)
Click here to watch the replay.
Each winner was awarded a glass blown award from Iowa artist Art Ciccotti and monetary prize to continue their work focused on improving the health and wellness at their site.
Jessica Heims
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Jessica is a Swisher, Iowa native who has found passion in life through a unique athletic journey. She was born with Amniotic Band Syndrome which caused her right leg to be amputated at the age of one. As she grew older, she found a love for the sport of track and field and learned to battle the difficulties that come with being an athlete with a disability.
During high school she made the decision to compete on a global level and made Team USA for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games. Following her first Paralympic Games experience, Jessica climbed the competitive ranks in her track events, including setting a discus world record during the 2019 track season. She then competed in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games in discus where she placed 5th and set a new American record.
Jessica graduated in 2021 from the University of Northern Iowa with a biology degree and a 4-year collegiate career on the university track team. Following Tokyo, Jessica became a professional athlete and continues to train as well as advocate for adaptive sports and the Paralympic movement.
2021 AWARD WINNERS
Check in with our 2021 Healthiest State Award winners who were honored back in February. Each received a monetary award to continue their efforts to create healthier environments for their students, employees and fellow citizens. See how they spent their prize funds!