June 15, 2005

Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Michigan Surgeon General, was honored by the Girl Scouts of Macomb County-Otsikita Council, Inc. at its 10th annual Women of Distinction Awards dinner Tuesday. Wisdom was one of seven women who received the award for exemplifying the Girl Scout spirit and serving as role models for all.

Janet Olszewski, Michigan Department of Community Health Director, nominated Wisdom for her outstanding accomplishments in the areas of emergency medicine, diabetes care, and health disparities reduction, as well as her contributions to public health as Michigan’s first Surgeon General.

“Dr. Wisdom is passionate about her work and it shows,” Olszewski said. “She demonstrates integrity, honesty, compassion, strength, intelligence, and confidence in every aspect of her life.”

During her acceptance speech, Wisdom – a former Girl Scout – spoke about how the Girl Scouts influenced her life both personally and professionally and how the values and skills (e.g., fundraising, preparedness, and citizenship) she learned have remained with the program despite its many changes over the years.

In February 2005, Wisdom launched Michigan Steps Up, a statewide healthy lifestyles campaign designed to improve the health of Michigan citizens by encouraging everyone to move more, eat better and avoid tobacco use.

Prior to Wisdom’s appointment as Surgeon General, she worked as a board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician and Founder and Director for the Institute on Multicultural Health at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. In 1998, Wisdom founded a community-based health screening initiative called “AIMHI” (African American Initiative for Male Health Improvement).

Girl Scouts of Macomb County – Otsikita Council Inc. is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization serving the needs of girls ages 4-17 in Macomb County. With a diverse membership of more than 12,000 girls and nearly 3,000 adult volunteers, Girl Scouts of Macomb County – Otsikita Council Inc. is the largest organization in the community with a commitment to girls.