The application period for NACCHO’s 2020 Local Health Department of the Year, the Maurice “Mo” Mullet Lifetime of Service, and the National Advocate of the Year awards is now open. Winners will be honored at the NACCHO 360 Conference, scheduled for July 7–9 in Denver. Below is are brief descriptions of each award.

2020 Local Health Department of the Year Award

NACCHO’s vision is health, equity, and security for all people in their communities. Local health departments work daily to realize this vision through their broad mandate for disease prevention, health promotion, and health protection. The Local Health Department (LHD) of the Year Award recognizes outstanding work conducted by LHDs around the nation. It is an opportunity to share the success of our colleagues and celebrate their achievements in the national spotlight of NACCHO’s annual conference.

The theme for the 2020 LHD of the Year Award is, “Raising the Reach of Public Health.” Cross-sectoral collaboration is the cornerstone of effectively improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities in communities throughout the nation. Any health department, regardless of size can use collaboration to improve outcomes and reduce disparities over time. As an example, when LHDs serve as the Chief Health Strategists in their communities, they can strengthen their local governmental public health infrastructure to better leverage resources to prevent death, disease, and disability; address emerging threats to health security; and eliminate the social and structural injustices that result in health disparities.

2020 National Advocate of the Year Award

The National Advocate of the Year Award recognizes outstanding accomplishments related to advocacy and outreach to Members of the United States Congress to better health policy outcomes in the calendar year 2019. Various elements affect policymaking decisions, and successful advocacy is not measured solely on the passage of a new law or funding level. Instead, a successful advocate is one who develops a meaningful relationship with a lawmaker and their staff and becomes a trusted messenger and resource in public health matters. Lawmakers are not necessarily experts in public health policy, and they rely on their constituents, including local health officials, to educate them on important health policy and fiscal matters. These relationships are key to informing their policy positions and their votes.

2020 Maurice “Mo” Mullet Lifetime of Service Award

NACCHO’s Maurice “Mo” Mullet Lifetime of Service Award honors local health officials for noteworthy service that reflects Mullet’s commitment, vigor, and leadership. Mo Mullet was a NACCHO board member for three years, vice president for four years, and president from 1992 to 1994. During his career, Mullet achieved statewide and national recognition as a leader among local health officials and in the field of public health.

The career of the recipient of this award will demonstrate the following achievements:

• Leadership among local health departments demonstrated by energetic volunteer service to NACCHO.
• Significant contributions to the field of local public health practice as a leader and representative of NACCHO.
• Commitment, skill, and effort demonstrated on behalf of NACCHO.

Learn more about each award, read their criteria, and submit an application by May 1.