TAMPA – Molina Healthcare of Florida recognized six unsung heroes, including two Largo women, at its first-ever Community Champions Awards dinner at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa.
A blind mental health counselor, Wanda Austin of Largo won the Healthcare Professional Award. Carol Conaway of Largo won the Education Award.
“Having lost her eyesight 15 years ago, Wanda Austin is uniquely qualified to counsel individuals experiencing uncorrectable vision loss and blindness. As a nationally certified and licensed mental health counselor for Lighthouse of Pinellas, she provides individual/family counseling, facilitates psycho-educational groups and teaches self-advocacy,” said a Molina news release.
She also provides counseling services in a private practice setting at Anona Counseling Center. Austin also helped the Pinellas County supervisor of elections design a training program for poll workers to understand how to assist physically disabled voters who come to their precincts to vote. She is currently the president of Chi Sigma Iota-Tampa Chapter, an honors society for professional counselors, and was recently recognized by the mayor of Seminole with the Angel Award for the positive work she has done in the community.
“Wanda is truly able to help save lives by guiding individuals to find meaning and hope,” said David Pollack, president of Molina Healthcare of Florida. “Through her own personal experiences and her healthcare background, she’s able to give back to those who need it the most.”
Conaway is a mentor, Guardian ad Litem and vice president of regions and councils for the State Parent Teacher Association board. She is also PTA liaison for two Pinellas County Schools committees and a member of the Juvenile Welfare Board task force. Furthermore, she is the chair of the Education Committee at Ready for Life, a nonprofit organization focused on foster care youth.
The Education Committee, which consists of Conaway and a diverse volunteer team of education experts, advocates and foster youth, works to ensure that youth transitioning out of foster care have the information and access to the resources they need to further their education and future.
“Carol is a strong advocate for the health, safety and well-being of young people who face difficult challenges,” said David Pollack, president of Molina Healthcare of Florida. “She strives to create opportunities for at-risk youth so that they can have a bright future. What she does is truly commendable and inspiring.”
Established to honor the memory of Dr. Molina, the Community Champions program spotlights the good deeds of everyday heroes in their communities. The 2010 winners were recognized in several categories: education, faith-based organization, support group/service club, healthcare professional and volunteer. Each winner also received a $1,000 grant to give to a deserving nonprofit organization as part of his/her award.
