Superintendent of Jennings School District, Dr. Art McCoy and Missouri State Senator Jill Schupp honored for work to improve children’s lives through education and legislation
ST. LOUIS (Dec. 13, 2017) – Whether on a state, city or neighborhood level, this year’s Advocacy Award recipients, Dr. Art McCoy and Missouri State Senator Jill Schupp, have dedicated their professional lives – and spare time – to uplifting the children of our region, and instilling in them a sense of possibility for the future through education and legislative progress.
As Superintendent of Jennings School District, Dr. McCoy has held leadership positions on numerous child and family-focused organizations including the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, the Boy Scouts of America, Missouri Association of School Administrators and the St. Louis Magic House. He has also served on many committees for the Department of Education and House and Senate in Missouri, helping to write state policy and laws for education equity.
Through his work to educate and inspire children across St. Louis and Missouri, Dr. McCoy has also empowered them over their own health. The district and schools have been a part of the St. Louis Children's Hospital Healthy Kids Express mobile health van and the SPOT teen drop in center at Jennings High School.
Senator Jill Schupp is a tireless health care advocate, not only for children, but for St. Louis community members of every socio-economic status, gender and ethnicity. Senator Schupp has championed child care legislation: legislation protecting children in unlicensed child care settings and requiring fingerprint-based background screenings for child care providers.
She is a passionate advocate for St. Louis Children’s Hospital priorities, including a bill creating a statewide perinatal regionalization program that passed in 2017 after four years of work. The program ensures all Missouri moms and babies receive the level of medical care they need, resulting in the best possible birth outcomes and reducing infant mortality.
“We are profoundly grateful to Dr. McCoy and Senator Schupp for their work to educate and protect children across Missouri, their passion for collaboration and partnership, and their leadership in making our community a better place with greater opportunities for our young people,” said Joan Magruder, President of St. Louis Children's Hospital.
Established in 1994 by St. Louis Children’s Hospital, the Advocacy Award recognizes local and state leaders who leverage their positions, resources and influence to do what’s right for kids. Other recipients have included Reverend Starsky Wilson, Missouri State Senator Eric Schmitt and Dr. Kelvin Adams.
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About St. Louis Children’s Hospital
Founded in 1879, St. Louis Children's Hospital is one of the premier children's hospitals in the United States. It serves not just the children of St. Louis, but children across the world. The hospital provides a full range of pediatric services to the St. Louis metropolitan area and a primary service region covering six states. As the pediatric teaching hospital for Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis Children's Hospital offers nationally recognized programs for physician training and research. For more information, visit www.StLouisChildrens.org, or visit us on Facebook and @STLChildrens on Twitter.
