Maricela Gutierrez Recognized As 2019 Health Champion At Work

March 8, 2019 – (Oxnard, California) – Ventura County Board of Supervisors bestowed Maricela Gutierrez, Sembrando Salud Promoter, with a 2019 Health Champion at Work award.

Health Champion award recipients are recognized for their work in addressing health disparities and the obesity crisis, ultimately working towards making Ventura County the healthiest county in California.

Guided by a mission to grow and sustain a culture of wellbeing, Maricela conducts educational health sessions for farmworkers to help improve health outcomes among the agricultural community. Every year, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors recognizes community members or groups on behalf of the Community Commission for Ventura County and the Partnership for a Healthy Ventura County.

“We are fortunate to have Maricela Gutierrez inspiring a culture of wellbeing for our employees, their families, and the Ventura County community,” said Ana Martinez, Wellness Manager for RAC. “Since Sembrando Salud started 10 years ago, Maricela has gone above and beyond to help farm worker families make educated choices that lead to a healthier life.”

Maricela’s work is part of Sembrando Salud, an obesity and diabetes prevention and management program established by Reiter Affiliated Companies in 2009, which includes an educational curriculum taught over the course of 10 weeks.

Farmworkers participate in health literacy based on a simple five-step healthy framework, which promotes drinking more water, eating more fresh vegetables and fruits, exercising at least 30 minutes a day, measuring food portions as well as the waist line and involving families and friends in practicing healthy habits.