Submitted Photo Hope Coalition of Chautauqua County and the village of Lakewood won SOPHi Awards.

MAYVILLE — Thirty-nine organizations from across Western New York, including six from Chautauqua County, were recently recognized for their work by a rapping physician who goes by the name ZDoggMD. The event was the second annual SOPHi awards ceremony, which recently took place at the Buffalo Riverworks. The P2 Collaborative of WNY hosts the Spotlight on Population Health, or SOPHi, awards to recognize outstanding efforts and dedication to making Western New York a healthier community to live, work, and play.

More than 350 attendees enjoyed keynote speaker ZDoggMD, also known as Dr. Damania, a real-life physician who is also a rapper with millions of YouTube viewers. ZDoggMD delivers sound medical advice via rap music and parodies of popular songs. His presentation focused on the need for a new model of healthcare that allows for doctors and patients to work together as partners, and utilizes the best of new technology. This new model focuses on population health and on looking at the person as a whole.

The six local SOPHi nominees included Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services for the Tobacco-21 legislation, city of Jamestown for extending smoke-free ordinances to parks and other city property, Persell Middle School’s Produce Patch school garden, Chautauqua Striders Kids on the Move running and walking program, village of Lakewood Complete Streets initiative, and the Hope Chautauqua Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, coordinated by Chautauqua Alcohol and Substance Abuse Council.

Both the Hope Chautauqua Coalition and the Village of Lakewood walked away with SOPHi awards at the event. Hope Coalition Coordinator Julie Franco was excited to receive the award.  “We educate, advocate, and connect individuals and families with the resources necessary to reduce the impact of drugs on our community in every way,” she explains. “Winning the SOPHi is such an honor as it recognizes the hard work of a generous community and passionate volunteers dealing with the very difficult task of preventing substance misuse and its consequences.”

Lakewood Village Mayor Cara Birrittieri was similarly pleased to receive their award. “The village has invested time and resources in planning, and our residents have told us that they want better and safer places to walk, jog, or ride a bike. With the help of our highway department, the New York State Department of Transportation, and Chautauqua County we are starting to make improvements, and were are excited to be recognized for our efforts,” Birrittieri said.

Enthusiasm for the awards event was shared by all who attended, including Melissa Paduano of Chautauqua Striders Kids on the Move program. “Just being nominated was an honor, and attending the SOPHi Awards event was not only informative but invigorating. ZDogg was charismatic and challenged me to think about the past, present, and future of healthcare. I look forward to bringing the energy and creativity I absorbed at the SOPHi event to our local Kids on the Move participants!” Paduano said.

More information on the P2 Collaborative and the SOPHi awards is available at www.P2wny.org.