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Awards

The Awards Committee of the Kentucky Public Health Association invites nominations for twelve distinguished awards to be presented at the KPHA Conference. These awards are a testament to exceptional achievements in public health across the Commonwealth. We encourage your participation in celebrating these accomplishments, either by nominating individuals who have significantly contributed to our mission of fostering healthy communities through education, leadership, and dedication to excellence, or by supporting existing nominations. This is an excellent opportunity to recognize the extraordinary efforts of a colleague.

  • To nominate someone for an award, please click here.
  • To submit a letter of support for an existing nomination, please click here.
  • To complete a submission for the Student Engagement Award for Excellence, please click here.
AWARD NOMINATION FORM
SUBMIT A LETTER OF SUPPORT
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AWARD

This award is designed to recognize an individual who has made remarkable contributions in the realm of administrative support within the public health sector. Guidelines: The nomination should clearly showcase the nominee's exceptional service in their field.

Elbert "Al" Austin, Jr. Career Achievement Award

This accolade is dedicated to someone who, despite their humility among peers, has achieved significant milestones in their career. Al Austin, who notably served as the health cabinet secretary in the 1980s, is the inspiration for this award. Guidelines: The nominee should exemplify steadfast loyalty and persistent efforts towards enhancing public health across Kentucky.

This award is intended to acknowledge a specific group or organization for their collective efforts in developing public health programs, significantly enhancing public health in the Commonwealth. Guidelines: The nomination should provide a detailed description of their efforts, along with evidence of sustained contributions to health.

This award recognizes an individual who has significantly contributed to the health and welfare of mothers and children in Kentucky. Dr. Fraser, who served as the state's Maternal and Child Health (MCH) director from 1956 until her passing in 1965, is the namesake of this honor. Guidelines: The nominee should have made a distinct and exceptional contribution to the advancement of maternal and child health in Kentucky, exceeding the typical expectations of their employment or through voluntary efforts.

Industry Award

Selected by the KPHA Board of Directors to honor and recognize an exceptional and meritorious achievement in Kentucky’s public health by a business or organization.

Outstanding Epidemiologist of the Year Award

This award is designated for an individual who consistently demonstrates excellence in the field of epidemiology, as recognized by their peers, leaders, or colleagues, and has made significant contributions in one or both of the following areas:

  • Notable impact in a specific area of expertise or on statewide epidemiology practices, which could include enhancements to epidemiological practices in Kentucky, bolstering the capacity to respond to public health issues, events, or crises, coordinating significant or large-scale epidemiological responses, or contributing to the overall improvement of epidemiological operations or processes in Kentucky.
  • Substantial influence on the health of Kentucky’s population, evidenced by either inferred or measurable reductions in disease or mortality linked to epidemiological practices, or by inferred or measurable improvements in health or health practices attributable to epidemiological approaches. This also includes notable epidemiological contributions that are expected to have a long-lasting effect on the health of Kentuckians.

This award is presented to recognize a nurse in our Commonwealth who has demonstrated exceptional performance. Guidelines: Public Health Nursing involves advancing and safeguarding public health through the integration of nursing, social, and public health sciences. Nominations should highlight the nominee's exemplary contributions to Public Health nursing practices, community engagement, and/or activities within professional associations.

Paul Mason Memorial Award

This award is given in recognition of a Kentuckian who has made a substantial impact in aiding the most vulnerable groups in our community – the indigent and uninsured. Guidelines: The nomination should distinctly showcase the nominee's significant contributions to these specific populations.

Honors a nutritionist for outstanding professional contributions and service in public health and that demonstrates cooperation with other agencies and groups; public health advocacy; and effective organizational skills.

President's Award

Selected by the KPHA Board of Directors to honor a person who has demonstrated exemplary leadership, support, and dedication to KPHA

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Award

This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to improving public health emergency preparedness and response in Kentucky. The candidate should demonstrate leadership, innovation, collaboration, and dedication to protecting the health and safety of the community.

The following additional criteria will be taken into consideration when reviewing applications:

  • Strengthening community emergency preparedness programs or response capabilities;
  • Demonstrating exceptional initiative, teamwork, and service in advancing community readiness;
  • Improving communication, training, or public education related to preparedness;
  • Supporting emergency response efforts during public health incidents, natural disasters, or community crises.

Recognizes exceptional and meritorious achievement in the field of public health. The candidate must demonstrate innovative and creative approaches with an impact on continued growth.

Sara C. Stice Health Education Award

This accolade is dedicated to recognizing an individual who has made a significant impact in the realm of health education within Kentucky. Sara C. Stice, who led as the state Director of Health Education from 1950 until her retirement in 1973, is the namesake for this award. Guidelines: The nominee should be actively engaged in the health sector and have made an exceptional contribution to the field of health education.

Student Engagement Award for Excellence

Our students are the future of public health. Many students and faculty have given countless service hours to promote public health in their respective communities, as well as statewide.

Criteria for selecting the winning chapter includes:

  • Chapter Viability and Infrastructure
  • Both On-campus and Off-campus Outreach
  • Partnerships & Scholarly Pursuits

This award recognizes an individual who has delivered outstanding Home Health services in Kentucky, particularly in public health environments. Guidelines: The ideal nominee should exhibit a deeply caring attitude and a keen sensitivity to the needs of the community and those served by Home Care services. It's important to note that while a professional degree is admirable, it should not be the main basis for the nomination.

Vivian A. Lasley-Bibbs Changemaker Award

Advancing health equity ensures that all people have a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. KPHA is establishing this award to honor an individual, group or organization who implemented innovative ideas and solutions to advance health equity and ultimately improve health outcomes for historically marginalized and minoritized groups. The following additional criteria will be taken into consideration when reviewing applications:

  • Actively engage in initiatives that promote equality and justice for all, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion, or physical ability.
  • Advocates for and initiates dialogue and action to address health injustices affecting marginalized communities.
  • Participates in activities that endorse education as a means of individual and community advancement and growth.

William Bill Patton Environmental Service Award

This award is dedicated to an individual who has shown exceptional performance, remarkable achievements, and dedicated service in the field of Environmental Services. Bill Patton, known for his diligent work as an environmentalist in southeastern Kentucky from the early 1980s until his passing in 2001, was a staunch believer in his ability to enhance the environmental health of Kentuckians. Guidelines: The nominee should have clearly demonstrated the aforementioned accomplishments in their field.