Marquette County Man Wins Governor's Fitness Award

As a leader in public health in Marquette County for more than 30 years, George Sedlacek has won the Outstanding Public Official Award for the 2012 Governor’s Fitness Awards. The award category recognizes an individual’s commitment to promoting healthy living through his or her public role.

Joining with other honorees and health advocates, Sedlacek will be honored at an award ceremony on April 26 at Ford Field in Detroit. The Governor’s Fitness Awards serve as a platform for recognizing individuals, public officials and organizations that are committed to healthy living. Each award honors the many ways the winners are inspiring and influencing Michigan residents to accept the challenge of committing to a healthy lifestyle. For event reservations and information please visit michiganfitness.org/gfa.

Sedlacek’s work with the Marquette County Health Department helped the department receive the Michigan Department of Public Health Director’s Award in 1984 and in 2005. As an advocate for public health, he assisted with the writing of Michigan’s second smoke free workplace ordinance. His work continued twenty years later, when he helped Michigan to become the 38th state to go smoke free.

According to a statement from the Michigan Fitness Foundation, “Sedlacek’s exceptional programming work has been recognized many times throughout his career and he has received the Governor’s Award for Physical Fitness and Health. His emphasis on removing barriers to physical activity in the community through coalition work is paying dividends. In addition to his public health career, George also sets an example for healthy living in his personal life. As an outstanding role model for healthy living, he continually advocates for, organizes and participates in many physical activity events. His impact on the community’s health and overall well-being is beyond measure.”

The Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports and the Michigan Fitness Foundation envision a physically educated population with the knowledge and skills to enjoy a healthy, vigorous and safe lifestyle in communities designed to support physical activity. For more information, visit www.michiganfitness.org.