Dr. Steve Perry is Colorado’s 2019 Childhood Immunization Champion

Denver: Dr. Steve Perry, who died in January, devoted his career to ensuring all children have the opportunity to live happy and healthy lives and making sure all Coloradans have access to the lifesaving vaccinations they deserve. Nominated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and community partners, Dr. Perry is Colorado’s 2019 CDC Childhood Immunization Champion.

“Dr. Perry’s interactions with patients, families, and other physicians and staff all started with a smile,” said Ellen Brilliant, Executive Director of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Colorado Chapter. “He embraced the power of information and communication and championed evidence-based medicine while respecting individual values and preferences.”

Dr. Perry’s contributions to strengthening vaccinations in Colorado include:

• Participating as an integral and vocal member of the Senate Bill 13-222 Task Force, which helped improve access to childhood vaccines by leveraging public and private partnerships to provide affordable, sustainable and geographically diverse solutions to address vaccination barriers across Colorado.
• Working with partners to identify solutions to help health care providers afford vaccines. The solution, VaxCare, provides the technology and process for ordering and billing for vaccines, limiting the burden on smaller providers and allowing them to provide vaccines in their practices.
• Serving on the Medical Staff Board of Children's Hospital Colorado, as president and executive committee member of the Colorado Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and as co-chair of the Colorado Children’s Immunization Coalition Policy Committee.

“Whether at the Capitol, in front of a camera or behind a pen, Dr. Perry shared the importance of vaccines with all who would listen,” Brilliant said. “We will miss his strong voice for health equity and vaccines in Colorado.”

Community partners and immunization programs across the country nominate candidates for the CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Award, which is given jointly by the Association of Immunization Managers and CDC. The award honors individuals who are doing an exemplary job or going above and beyond to promote childhood immunizations in their communities. Read more about Dr. Steve Perry and the country’s other immunization champions on the CDC website.