Micah Olson and Sanford Health have been named the 2023 Humanitarian Awards by the City of Bismarck’s Human Relations Committee (HRC). They were each recognized at the final City Commission meeting of 2024.
Each year the City’s HRC honors one individual and a business or non-profit organization that exhibit leadership in the area of human rights. This recognition is intended for people and entities that educate, identify, protect and promote personal dignity with a focus on eliminating discriminatory barriers that would prevent people from reaching their full human potential.
Olson works as an attorney for the North Dakota Protection and Advocacy and advocates for the needs of individuals with disabilities. He has also served as an advocate at the Independence Inc. Center for Independent Living in Minot.
“Micah uses his own experience with his disability to motivate his work and give a voice to issues affecting the disabled,” said the individual who nominated Olson, but desired anonymity. “He has testified on bills before the state legislature on issues such as accessible housing and transportation. He continually fights for what is right, no matter how difficult the challenge may be and is not one to back away.”
Sanford Health is one of the largest employers in Bismarck. It has prioritized diversity, equity and inclusion since 2021 to mature and expand the initiatives that provide, expand and scale lasting and meaningful impact to its employees, patients and community.
“When a healthcare organization prioritizes these efforts, the outcome is that underrepresented populations feel valued and comfortable to seek out preventative healthcare,” said Natasha Smith, who nominated her workplace for the award. “This has an impact on the health disparities we know exist in our communities.”
The purpose of the HRC is to create an atmosphere of inclusion, equality and accessibility through education and outreach to recognize the value of a diverse community. For more information, including the full list of award recipients, visit the Human Relations Committee webpage.