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2025 Public Health Partnership Conference

April 30 - May 2

Ithaca, New York


Awards

Annual Conference awards

Each year at our Annual Meeting we have the honor of presenting several awards for outstanding service in the field of public health.  Nominations will open in February 2025.

We are seeking nominees for the following awards:

Citation for Outstanding Leadership in Public Health in New York State (individual)

Recognizes an individual for outstanding leadership.

Citation for Outstanding Leadership in Public Health in New York State (organization)

Recognizes an organization for outstanding leadership.

Hermann M. Biggs Memorial Medal and Certificate

local This lifetime achievement award, honors and recognizes an individual with demonstrated outstanding achievements in public health in New York State.

State Legislator of the Year Award

Recognizes a state government legislator who has been a public health champion and who has been supportive of public health issues. 

Local Legislator of the Year Award

Recognizes a local government legislator who has been a public health champion and who has been supportive of public health issues. 

NYSPHA Member of the Year Award

Recognizes a current NYSPHA member for their contributions to public health in NYS or beyond, with preference given to those making specific contributions to NYSPHA.

Public Health Innovation Award for NYSPHA Members

 Awards a NYSPHA member who led an innovative public health intervention. This intervention or practice may include demonstrations of advancing the promotion of health, wellness, disease prevention, disability, and/or injury throughout New York State.

Public Health Equity Leadership Award

 Recognizes an organization, local health department, state office or individual that has made longstanding contributions to the field of public health with an impact on health equity, addressing health disparities, or building diversity equity and inclusion in New York State.

Student Excellence in Public Health Award

Recognizes a high school, college, or graduate student for their demonstrated commitment to public health, including leading or supporting advocacy efforts, public health initiatives, and/or community improvement projects. 

Public Health Innovation Award for Local Health Departments 

 Awards a local health department, team or professional from a local health department who led an innovative public health intervention. This intervention or practice may include demonstration of advancing the promotion of health, wellness, disease prevention, disability, and injury throughout New York State.

Excellence in Communication Award for Local Health Departments 

 Awards a local health department, team or professional from a local health department who led a public health campaign, communication initiative, collected community feedback, conducted stakeholder outreach to advance the promotion of health, wellness, disease prevention, disability, and/or injury throughout New York State.

Environmental Health Leadership Award

Recognizes a department or individual that has made longstanding contributions to the field of public health through work within a local health department or a state district or regional office.

Nomination Form

Do you know any outstanding individuals or organizations in the field of Public Health and/or Environmental Health from New York State that deserve recognition? A nomination form will be available in February 2025. These awards will be presented at the 2025 NYS Public Health Partnership Conference, taking place April 30th – May 2nd in Ithaca, NY.

 

Past Award Winners

2023 Award Recipients

Citation for Outstanding Environmental Health Leadership (Individual): Dan Lang, P.G.

Citation for Outstanding Environmental Health Leadership (Organization): Seven Valleys Food Rescue

Hermann M. Briggs Memorial Award: Melanie Desiderio, M.S.

Citation for Outstanding Contribution in Public Health in New York State (Individual): Jessica S. Kruger, PhD, MCHES

Citation for Outstanding Contribution in Public Health in New York State (Organization): The Loft LGBTQ+ Community Center

Legislator of the Year Award: Jewel Williams Johnson, Westchester County Legislator

Citation for Public Health Innovation Award at a Local Health Department: Irina Gelman, DPM, MPH, PhD

Citation for Public Health Innovation Award at a Local Health Department (Department Team): Otsego County Department of Health (GIS Team)

New York State Legislative Public Health Champion Award: The Honorable Assembly Member Amy Paulin; Chair, Assembly Health Committee

2021 Award Recipients

Citation for Outstanding Leadership in Public Health in New York State (Individual): Dr. Kevin Watkins, MD, MPH | Public Health Director, Cattaraugus County Health Department

Citation for Outstanding Leadership in Public Health in New York State (Organization): Center for Community Health & Prevention, University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC)

Legislator of the Year Award: Andrew Hevesi, Member of Assembly

Local Leadership: Peggy DiManno, BSN, MS | Special Project Executive NYSACHO

State Leadership: Dr. Gus Birkhead, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics School of Public Health, University of Albany

2019 Award Recipients

Local Health Department Award: Rockland County Department of Health

Citation  for Outstanding Leadership in Public Health (Organization): NYS Association of County Health Officials

Citation  for Outstanding Leadership in Public Health (Individual): Linda Beers, Essex County Public Health

Hermann M. Biggs Award: Gail Wechsler

NYSPHA Member of the Year Award: Chrystal Johnson 

Legislator of the Year Award: Joe Giordano

2018 Award Recipients

Citation  for Outstanding Leadership in Public Health (Organization): POW'R

Citation  for Outstanding Leadership in Public Health (Individual): Gail Burstein, Erie County 

Hermann M. Biggs Award: Irina Gelman  

NYSPHA Member of the Year Award: Karen Hall

2017 Award Recipients

Citation  for Outstanding Leadership in Public Health (Organization): FamilyCook Productions

2016 Award Recipients 

Hermann Biggs Memorial Award: Dr. Perry Halkitis, PhD, MPH 

Citation for Outstanding Leadership in Public Health in New York State (Organization): Karen Laing 

2016 NYSPHA Member Award: Judy Rightmyer

2015 Award Recipients

Hermann Biggs Memorial Award: Donald Rowe, PhD

Outstanding Leadership in Public Health in New York State Award (Organization): Amy Klein

Outstanding Leadership in Public Health in New York State Award (Individual): Cynthia Morrow, M.D., MPH

Leadership in Public Health Policy Award: Tim Nichols

2015 NYSPHA Membership Award: Lee W. Livermore

2015 Student Poster Awards

First Place and Members' Choice Winning Poster:  "Immunization A Tool to Bridge Population Health"

Poster created by Jilllian Annunziata, Alexis Adusei, Christina Bryce, Rosaria Camarda, Dawn French, Shukura Jacobs, Zulgarnain Javed, Ubanni Odigo, Julia Telfer, and Chris Wray

New York Medical College School of Health Science and Practice


Second Place Winning Poster:  "The Impact of High Deductible Health Plans on Preventive Care Use"

Poster Created by Daniel Write

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences


Third Place Winning Poster:  "Working at Wellness-Crouse Hospital's Worksite Wellness Program"

Poster Created by Katherine Jwaskiewicz

SUNY Upstate Medical University

Event/Registration Questions

Contact us with any questions by phone or email:

Tel:  (518) 427-5835  Email:  info@nyspha.org

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New York State Public Health Association

PO Box 38127
Albany, NY 12203
Tel: 518.427.5835
Email: info@nyspha.org

© New York State Public Health Association, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.

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