Molina Medicaid Solutions honors Dr. Margaret Doucette for work in Uganda

Idaho State University-Meridian affiliate faculty member Margaret Doucette recently received a 2012 Community Champion Award for her humanitarian work with Be the Change, Inc., a nonprofit organization that trains student and adult volunteers to implement social service programs in Africa.

Molina Medicaid Solutions of Idaho honored Doucette at its second annual Community Champions Awards ceremony in October.

In July, Doucette and an ISU-Meridian delegation traveled to Uganda to complete the medical histories of hundreds of children living or attending school at the Nsumba Orphanage near the capital city of Kampala.  They also conducted hearing and HIV screenings. The ISU-Meridian team included HIV and viral hepatitis educator Judy Thorne; audiologist Gabriel Bargen, graduate audiology student Nicole Butler; and Academic Dean Bessie Katsilometes. 

Molina Medicaid Solutions also applauded Doucette for assisting Treasure Valley college and high school students with social action projects, such as helping refugees construct a community garden, tutoring young refugee students and helping families transition to the American culture.

The Community Champions program celebrates the vision of Dr. C. David Molina, the founder of Molina Healthcare, as well as community partners who work together to care for society's most vulnerable individuals. Community champions are nominated by a community-based organization and receive a $1000 grant to give to a deserving nonprofit organization of his or her choice.