Every year, Maine Public Health Association honors excellence in public health by awarding distinctions to organizations and individuals who make a difference in public health in Maine. This year, the Knox Clinic will receive the Phebe Conrey King Access to Healthcare Award for its efforts to reduce health disparities in Maine through access to comprehensive health care for all.

“For the past 14 months, public health has been at the forefront as we faced the worst public health crisis in a century,” said Rebecca Boulos, MPH, PhD, executive director of MPHA, in a MPHA news release. “Maine’s public health workforce has worked tirelessly to support pandemic efforts, in addition to addressing other, ongoing community health challenges. They all deserve our deepest gratitude. Our public health awards this year recognize truly exemplary public health leadership and advocacy, and the work of people who are serving the most vulnerable in our communities. Their contributions have protected and promoted public health, reduced health disparities and improved the policies, systems, and environments that impact health outcomes.”

The ceremony for Maine Public Health Association’s Public Health Awards will be held virtually, Thursday, May 20, from 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Advanced registration is required: https://www.bitly.com/2021-mpha-spring-awards.

This year’s award winners are:

Nirav Shah, director, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention will receive the Association’s highest distinction, the Presidents’ Award for his leadership, compassion, and dedication to serving the people of Maine during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nélida Reyes Berke, Minority Health Program Coordinator, Portland Public Health & Human Services, will receive the Ruth S. Shaper Memorial Award for her dedication to health promotion and disease prevention in service to Greater Portland’s immigrant communities.

New Mainers Public Health Initiative will receive the Public Health Program of Excellence Award for its efforts to serve the needs of the New Mainer community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Knox Clinic will receive the Phebe Conrey King Access to Healthcare Award for its efforts to reduce health disparities in Maine through access to comprehensive health care for all.

Kirsten Goodrich, Tobacco Prevention Program Coordinator, City of Portland Public Health Division, will receive the Pamela M.B. Studwell Tobacco Policy Award, recognizing her dedication, persistence, and passion for advancing best practice tobacco policies in Maine.

Representative Rachel Talbot Ross, Assistant Majority Leader, Maine House of Representatives, will receive the Public Health Policy Champion Award, recognizing her decades of activism and leadership in protecting public health and promoting health equity in Maine.

Erin Rhoda, Editor, Maine Focus, Bangor Daily News, will receive the Public Health Journalism Award, recognizing her dedication, persistence, and passion for journalism excellence in the field of public health.

City of Bangor Wellness Committee will receive the Public Health Business Champion Award, honoring its commitment to promoting health and wellness for employees and the community.

Sarah Johnson, Training Project Coordinator, AdCare Educational Institute of Maine, Inc., will receive the Public Health Rising Star Award for her contributions to Maine’s substance use prevention field.

Maine Health Access Immigrant Network Community Health Worker Team (Sanaa Abduljabbar, Asha Ali, Mohamud Barre, Christian Bisimwa, Mohammed Hassan, Simane Ibrahim, Sabine Kangombe, Sarah Lewis, and Sana Osman) will receive the Unsung Hero Award, recognizing their collective vision, enthusiasm, and tireless commitment to supporting Maine’s immigrant communities

“Everyone in public health has been working around the clock during the pandemic, serving their communities, and caring for their loved ones – often at the expense of their own self-care,” said Sarah Rines, past president of MPHA and chair of the nominations committee. “We are grateful for everyone’s efforts over the past year and are excited to recognize these members of Maine’s public health workforce for their passion and commitment to protecting and promoting public health in Maine.”

Visit https://mainepublichealth.org/about-us/awards for a list of past award winners.

About Maine Public Health Association

The Maine Public Health Association is the state’s oldest, largest, and most diverse association for public health professionals. We represent more than 500 individual members and 30 organizations across the state. As a statewide nonprofit association, we advocate, act, and advise on critical public health challenges, aiming to improve the policies, systems, and environments that underlie health inequities – but which also have potential to improve health outcomes for all people in Maine. Learn more: www.mainepublichealth.org.