The Department of Information Science is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors of the Denton Community Health Clinic (DCHC) recently voted to name their Community Health Achievement Award, the Don and Ana Cleveland Community Health Champion Award. This honor is to recognize the Clevelands’ for the support that they have provided to the organization over a number of years, and their willingness to actively participate in projects and activities that promote the goals of the clinic.

Dr. Donald B. Cleveland is an Emeritus Professor of the Department of Information Science, and was instrumental in the development of the Information Science Ph.D. program. Regents Professor and Sarah Law Kennerly Endowed Professor, Dr. Ana D. Cleveland, developed the LIS specialization in Health Informatics  a program that is nationally ranked by the U.S. News & World Report. Most recently, Dr. Cleveland was the recipient of the 2018 Marcia C. Noyes Award, the highest honor that the Medical Library Association confers. Drs. Don and Ana Cleveland have both been instrumental in the success of the Houston program that serves master’s students in the Houston area.

“We are touched to have Denton Community Health Clinic name an award in our honor. Our relationship with DCH in improving the health of the underserved population in the Denton area has been an especially meaningful aspect of our lives,” said Don Cleveland.

The Denton Community Health Clinic (DCHC) is a non-profit family practice that offers quality and affordable health care services to individuals regardless of their ability to pay. Many of the patients are homeless and underserved members of the Denton community. The founders of DCHC, Filippo Masciarelli, MD and Alice Masciarelli, RN, DNP have been serving Denton for many years. After witnessing the health disparities in the delivery of healthcare services to parts of the population, they became committed to closing the gap.

“The work of Filippo and Alice Masciarelli has been an inspiration to both of us, and their dedication to the community is exemplary,” said Ana Cleveland.

The Don & Ana Cleveland Community Health Champion Award is given “to recognize local individuals and organizations who strive diligently, each working day on his/her/their passions, to promote services that will positively impact the health of the different overlooked populations in Denton”.  Recipients of the award are supporters of the organization's values and goals, and through advocacy efforts, promote quality service and the rights of the underserved populations, by providing direct services, serving on boards of institutions with similar missions, and providing financial support of organizations that promote the well-being of low income and/or homeless populations.

"We are humbled and touched by this special honor. It represents our efforts to see that Denton becomes a healthy community with health services available to all individuals. Also, we have worked to see that our citizens know how to make informed decisions by using credible health information," said Ana Cleveland.

The award will be presented to the recipient at the organization’s annual gala to be held in May.