Sacred Heart Academy sophomore, Amelie Beck, has been honored on the national level in the first-ever 2022 Prudential Emerging Visionaries program. The program provides Amelie with a $5,000 award and invitation to the 2022 summit for her work addressing the challenges of a changing world.
Amelie and her cousin, junior Jacqueline Teague, co-founded “MedTechConnect,” previously called VaxConnectKY, a health accessibility initiative that offers senior citizens personalized training, support, and simplified technology solutions. When COVID-19 vaccines became available in 2021, many older residents were relieved but could not easily access them due to digital hurdles. Amelie and Jacqueline offered their help, which led to the creation of MedTechConnect. Now, clients requesting health assistance can call in, and a team member will follow up to assess their needs, share easy-to-follow resources and help them make the necessary appointments.
In the last year, Amelie and her team have assisted over 2,100 people in getting vaccinated and trained more than 500 people in telehealth while supporting the launch of similar initiatives around the country. They have also advocated for improvements to the vaccine distribution infrastructure at the federal and state levels.
As one of 25 young people from across the country selected in this year’s inaugural class, Amelie will receive $5,000 in funding as well as an invitation to participate in an awards summit from April 23-26, 2022. The summit will include a lively agenda packed with skills development workshops, coaching sessions, networking opportunities, and special recognition events.
Amelie and Jacqueline have been recognized on the state, national and international levels for their work with VaxConnectKY, now MedTechConnect.
-People Magazine included the girls as part of their spread titled “Girls Changing the World in 2021,” which celebrates “young innovators and trailblazers making a difference in their communities and beyond.” People Magazine prints this piece each year in honor of the International Day of the Girl, on October 11.
-Jacqueline was honored with the Diana Award. The Diana Award honors young people who work to improve the lives of others. This award is the most prestigious accolade a young person aged 9-25 can receive for their social action or humanitarian work and is named after Diana, Princess of Wales. The Duke of Sussex featured Jacqueline specifically in his tribute at the ceremony. Both girls were nominated, but the award was not given to groups or duos, so Jacqueline was the recipient.
-Amelie and Jacqueline received the National Catholic Educational Association’s “Youth Virtues, Valor, and Vision Award (YVVV). The national YVVV award recognizes Catholic students who are heroes in their service, innovation, and commitment to social justice.
-The Greater Louisville Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals honored both girls with the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award in late 2021.
-Amelie and Jacqueline were honored as the youngest recipients of the national “Big Shot” Award. The City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) developed the Big Shots campaign. Its mission is to tell the stories of inspiring people across the country who used their ingenuity and determination to get others vaccinated. The campaign was developed by the
-CONVINCE USA initiative at CUNY SPH, with support from the CDC Foundation and the pro bono creative assistance of McCann Health.
-Amelie and Jacqueline received the Pandemic Response Service Award as part of the 2021 Kentucky Governor’s Service Awards. Serve Kentucky, an agency within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services coordinates the annual awards with Kentucky’s Americorp program.
-The girls were also recognized as Kentuckiana All-Stars by Governor Beshear as young leaders for Kentucky for their leadership with the VaxConnectKY campaign.
-Congressional Record Recognition in the 117th Congress: The girls were congratulated by U.S. Senator John Yarmouth as National leaders for the community through humanitarian work.
-Sons of the Revolution Good Citizen’s Medal: Amelie and Jacqueline were awarded National Medal for the service campaign.