Awards luncheon highlights transformational & historic state investment in local public health services
The REPORTER
More than 200 practitioners, partners and advocates gathered Thursday to celebrate and honor a year of success and achievement within the field of public health. The event was hosted by the Indiana Public Health Association (IPHA) and held at the Ritz Charles, in Carmel.
IPHA President Joan Trendell welcomed attendees and hosted the event.
“We’re thrilled to bring together partners from across Indiana to recognize and show appreciation for the dedication and persistence of Indiana’s public health workforce,” Trendell said. “There have been significant challenges and lessons over the past few years, and together we have found ways to improve, advance and sustain our collective efforts.”
The event highlighted the Governor’s Public Health Commission (GPHC) study and recommendations, which resulted in updated state legislation and a historic investment of $225 million in the current biennium for local public health services. Now known as Health First Indiana, this initiative empowers counties to determine their local health needs and then implement programs focused on prevention, with the goal of ensuring every Hoosier has access to the core public health services that allow them to achieve their optimal health and well-being. Eighty-six of Indiana’s 92 counties have opted to receive funding in 2024.
Judy Monroe, MD, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation and co-chair of the Governor’s Public Health Commission, spoke at the event.
“It’s such an exciting time for public health in Indiana,” Monroe said. “State and local leaders, in partnership with community-based organizations and practitioners, have made a transformational investment in core public health services delivered at the local level. Indiana’s approach of studying the current system, talking and listening to community members, identifying evidence-based strategies across key focus areas, and then developing recommendations for improvements provides a tremendous example for other states to follow.”
In addition to recognizing association and commission leadership, eight awards were presented in seven categories:
- Outstanding Public Health Students: Alexandra Hughes, MPH Student, Purdue University and Alfu Laily, PhD Student, Purdue University
- Emerging Public Health Leader: Naima Gardner-Rice, SNAP-Ed and Nutrition Programs Director, Indiana Department of Health
- Public Health Communications & Media: Sara Dillard, Communications Director, Indiana Immunization Coalition
- Outstanding Local Health Department: Vanderburgh County Health Department (accepted by Joe Gries, Administrator)
- Outstanding Public Health Advocate: Eric Yazel, Chief Medical Director, Indiana EMS; Health Officer, Clark County Health Department
- Public Health Impact: AARP Indiana (accepted by Ambre Marr, State Legislative Director)
- Distinguished Public Health Service: Kisha Hampton, Sickle Cell Outreach Coordinator & Sickle Cell Team Lead, Indiana Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center
For more information or to get involved with the Indiana Public Health Association, visit inpha.org.