APHA's Public Health Awards Ceremony and Luncheon recognizes individuals who will receive the association's most distinguished awards. APHA honors those who exemplify professionalism and dedication to the field of public health.
This event will be held on Monday, Oct. 28, 12:30-2 p.m. and is a paid event. Tickets are discounted for student members of APHA and include access to a pre-event reception.
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Meet the 2024 Award Winners
Sedgwick Memorial Medal for Distinguished Service in Public Health
Honors an individual for their distinguished service to advance public health knowledge and practice in the field of research, administration, education, technical services or a specialty field of public health practice. The Sedgwick Memorial Award is the Association’s oldest and most prestigious honor.
Barbara Cole, RN, MSN, PHN, Director of Disease Control, Riverside University Health System-Public Health
APHA Award for Excellence
Recognizes an individual for making a significant and well-recognized contributions to the improvement of community health by utilizing scientific knowledge or innovative organizational strategies.
Linda A. Teplin, PhD, Vice Chair and Owen L. Coon Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Director, Health Disparities and Public Policy, Northwestern University Fienberg School of Medicine
David P. Rall Award for Advocacy in Public Health
Honors an individual who has made outstanding contributions to public health through science–based advocacy. The award is a tribute to David P. Rall, MD, PhD, whose scientific-based advocacy efforts advanced public health and prevention across many fields and in many forms.
Emily E. Nenon, MPA, Director, Alaska Government Relations Director, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Helen Rodriguez-Trias Social Justice Award
Honors an individual who has worked toward social justice for underserved and disadvantaged populations. The award is named after the late Dr. Helen Rodriguez-Trias, past president of the American Public Health Association.
Perry N. Halkitis PhD, MS, MPH, Dean and Hunterdon Professor of Public Health and Health Equity, School of Public Health, Rutgers University
Victor Sidel and Barry Levy Award for Peace
Recognizes an APHA member who has made outstanding contributions to preventing war and promoting international peace. APHA past presidents, Victor W. Sidel, MD, and Barry S. Levy, MD, MPH, endowed the award in 2008.
Yara M. Asi, PhD, BS, MA Assistant Professor, University of Central Florida
Milton and Ruth Roemer Prize for Creative Local Public Health Work
Honors a local health officer of a county, city or other unit of local government who has demonstrated creative and innovative public health work.
Wilma Wooten, MD, MPH, Former Public Health Officer, San Diego County Department of Health
Martha May Eliot Award
Honors a professional worker from the field of maternal and child health. The award is named after the late Dr. Martha May Eliot. past present of the American Public Health Association and a moving force in APHA’s Maternal and Child Health Section.
Elaine Abrams, MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Epidemiology, ICAP at Columbia University Medical Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University
Kenn Harris, Maternal and Child Health Expert, The Emu Consultants
Ayman El-Mohandes Young Professor Public Health Innovation Award
Recognizes a young public health professional who is making a significant, innovative contribution to the public health field. The award is endowed by Ayman El-Mohandes, MPH, MD, MSc, MBBCh, a former APHA Executive Board member.
Heather Tillewein, PhD, MCHES, Assistant Professor, Austin Peay State University
Giorgio A. Piccagli Leadership Award
Recognizes an APHA student or early-career professional who demonstrates outstanding leadership and initiative. This award acknowledges the lifetime contributions of Giorgio A. Piccagli, a long-standing APHA and Affiliate leader who served in numerous leadership roles.
McKenzie Cowlbeck, MPH, OPHA Policy Director, Oklahoma Public Health Association
Lyndon Haviland Public Health Mentoring Award
Recognizes an individual for their essential role of mentoring in public health and leadership development.
Jagdish Khubchandani, MD, PhD, MPH, Professor of Public Health, New Mexico State University
APHA Distinguished Public Health Legislator of the Year Award
Recognizes a legislator at the federal, state or local levels who strongly supports of public health.
U.S. Representative James Clyburn, D-SC
APHA Presidential Citation
Recognizes a person or organization in recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement of public health or the public health profession.
Jackson Public School, Mississippi
APHA Executive Director Citation
Honors an APHA member for their exceptional service to the Association.
C. William Keck, MD, MPH, Professor Emeritus, Northeast Ohio Medical University
A Special Thanks to Our 2024 APHA Committees
APHA Awards Committee
Donna K. Beal, MPH, MCHES – Chair
Joyce Gaufin
Ayaz Mahmood Khan, MD, MPH, MBA, FACHE, CPE Jonathan Smith, PhD
Jonathan Smith, MPH, MA
Irene Tami-Maury, DMD, MSc, DrPH
Martha May Eliot Award Committee
Arthur R. James, MD – Chair
Beth A. Blacksin, PhD, RN
Jodi Bower, DHA
Jeannette R. Ickovics, PHD
Jennifer Schindler-Ruwisch, DrPH
Milton and Ruth Roemer Prize Committee
Beth M. Roemer, MPH – Roemer Representative
Scott A. Clardy – City/County Health Official
Brooke Cunningham, MD, PhD – State Health Official
Cody J. Mullen, PhD – Chair, Medical Care Section
Takiyah Wilson, PhD, MBA – Chair, Health Administration
Student Assembly Selection Committee for the Lyndon Haviland Public Health Mentoring Award
Venna Thamilselvan – Chair
Laura Ray – Immediate Past Chair
Abigail Jeyaraj – Mentoring Co-chair
Tamaraemumoemi Okoro – Mentoring Co-chair
APHA Giorgio A. Piccagli Leadership Award Committee
Vonna Henry, RN, BSN, MPH – Chair
Maia Piccagli – Piccagli Representative
Kate Cartwright, PhD, MPH – Chair, Health Administration Awards Committee
Joyce Gaufin – APHA Past President
Melvin Shipp, OD, MPH, DrPH – APHA Past President
Walter Tsou, MD, MPH – APHA Past President
Ex-officio
Georges C. Benjamin, MD – Executive Director
Ella Greene-Moton – APHA President