Regina Underwood with County of San Diego Public Health Officer Wilma Wooten, MD, MPH.

Regina Underwood of NHA’s HIV/ AIDS Case Management Program was nominated for the 2010 Public Health Champion Award for her noteworthy service to public health in the San Diego community. Ms. Underwood was honored for her efforts by The County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Services at a special award ceremony and reception held Friday, April 2.

“I feel very honored and privileged to be nominated for the Public Health Champion Award and to be recognized by the County of San Diego,” Ms. Underwood said. “I had the wonderful opportunity to meet high ranking officials from the County at the award ceremony.”

Ms. Underwood started her work at NHA more than 12 years ago. Prior to her current position with the agency, she was a counselor at Project Enable, one of NHA’s comprehensive mental health programs. In November 2003, she joined the HIV/ AIDS Case Management program and hasn’t looked back since.

“I enjoy being a Case Manager and working in the HIV community,” said Ms. Underwood.

And it shows. Her seemingly effortless contributions to the program have not only helped improve the health of hundreds of San Diego residents living with the disease, but also their outlook on life.

“The best part of my job is helping clients improve their lives and become self-sufficient.”

Ms. Underwood holds a Master of Science degree in Education from the University of Pennsylvania where she graduated cum laude. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Temple University as part of the Psychology Honors Program. When she’s not busy working, she enjoys exercising, reading, and spending time with family and friends.