Local Woman Receives American Lung Association's National Staff Excellence Award

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National American Lung Association Board Chair Al Rizzo (left) and National CEO Charles Connor (right) present the 2012 Staff Excellence Award to Shelly Kiser (center)

COLUMBUS OH (06/28/2012)(readMedia)-- Shelly Kiser has been named the recipient of the American Lung Association's 2012 Staff Excellence Award. The national award celebrates Lung Association staff members who exemplify the nationwide commitment to saving lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. A resident of Pataskala, Kiser works out of the American Lung Association's Columbus office. Kiser received the award on Friday, June 22, at the American Lung Association's annual national conference held in Wilmington, Delaware.

"We are very proud of Shelly for this important national recognition of her excellent work," said Barry Gottschalk, President and CEO of the American Lung Association of the Midland States. "Shelly is a passionate advocate for clean air and smoke-free laws with a proven track record in influencing public health policy. Moreover, her enthusiasm for these important health initiatives has attracted and inspired many individuals, corporate partners and community groups to the Lung Association's cause".

Kiser currently serves as Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association in Ohio and Michigan. She first became involved with the work of the Lung Association in 2002 as part of the Smokefree Ohio campaign, and joined the Lung Association full-time when Ohio voters approved going smokefree in 2006.

In addition to her extensive work on tobacco issues, Kiser has immersed herself in air quality issues, helping to defend the Clean Air Act and protect the authority of the U.S. EPA. In addition, her efforts were instrumental in generating extensive local news coverage of the Lung Association's annual State of the Air report, which grades the air quality of counties and cities across the nation.

Kiser works collaboratively with staff members and community leaders to enhance the Lung Association's impact and visibility as a champion of public health. This includes, but is not limited to, organizing testimony and letters-to-the-editor about key issues, as well as coordinating media events and community programs. She has collaborated with colleagues to present educational programs to the Ohio Black Caucus at the Ohio Statehouse and is also very active in the Ohio Asthma Coalition.

"Shelly's local, regional and national accomplishments in the public policy arena for the American Lung Association translates into improved public health protections, smoke-free workplaces and cleaner air for all of us " said Gottschalk.