Dr. Larry Franken, an instructor for the Master of Science in Health Promotion (MSHP) program at Cleveland University-Kansas City, was recently honored by the Kansas Association of Local Health Departments (KALHD). Franken was recognized with KALHD’s “Public Health Champion” award at the 39th Annual Kansas Association of Counties conference, which was held in Wichita Nov. 12-14.
Franken earned the award for his “significant contribution to the public health system at the local level,’ according to the KALHD. Given annually, the “Public Health Champion” award is one of the organization’s top honors of distinction.
In addition to his duties at CU-KC, Franken works as an epidemiologist in the Kansas City area and has 20 years of experience in health care, public health and consumer safety. As a practicing epidemiologist and health educator, Franken understands the tools used in this field as well as common health issues.
Franken currently serves as co-chairman for the Kansas City Regional Homeland Security Council’s Epidemiology Surveillance Isolation and Quarantine Committee, and is also co-chairman for the Metropolitan Medical Response System in Wyandotte County, Kan.