Washington, DC, July 13, 2023 —Today the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), representing the nation’s nearly 3,000 local governmental health departments, recognized the public health career of Dr. Jody Hershey, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., awarding him the Maurice “Mo” Mullet Lifetime of Service Award. Dr. Hershey received his award before a gathering of his peers at the 2023 NACCHO360 Annual Conference in Denver on July 12, 2023.
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. Those nominated for the award must demonstrate leadership among local health departments, characterized by energetic volunteer service to NACCHO and significant contributions to the field of local public health practice.
“Dr. Hershey represents the very best in local public health. He is an outstanding leader in our field who embodies the spirit of Maurice “Mo” Mullet, and NACCHO is thrilled to be able to present Dr. Hershey with our most prestigious award,” said NACCHO Chief Executive Officer Lori Tremmel Freeman. “Dr. Hershey’s enthusiasm for supporting NACCHO is long-standing, including serving as a Past President of NACCHO, among many other committee and workgroup positions. His effective leadership is evident in the many roles and positions he serves on national boards and expert advisory groups, and I cannot think of a public health professional more deserving of this award. His work has undoubtedly restored a sense of widespread trust in local governmental public health and its ability to keep people safe and healthy.”
Since 2000, Dr. Hershey has served in leadership positions at NACCHO, including as President of NACCHO’s Board of Directors. Within NACCHO, he has and continues to represent the organization on national issues, such as emerging infectious diseases, emergency preparedness and response, and childhood and adult immunizations. Dr. Hershey has been NACCHO’s liaison to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and has served on the committee’s Influenza Working Group. He has also chaired the National Profile of Local Health Departments Work Group, Finance, Nominations, and Public Policy Committees, and Past-Presidents Council.
“Mo Mullet’s lifetime of contributions to the field of public health embody service to the field and make receiving this award in his honor particularly humbling,” said Dr. Hershey. I am humbled, honored, and grateful to be receiving this award, and I credit it to the talented and dedicated staff I work with every day and those professionals who have helped shape my career.”
Elaine O’Keefe remarked in nominating Dr. Hershey for the award, “Jody’s history in local public health, and his extraordinary contributions to NACCHO over many years, align with both the letter and spirit of this award. I wholeheartedly support his nomination for this special award, and I believe that Mo Mullet, himself a “giant” in the public health field, and a very kind, astute, compassionate, and humble person, would surely concur.”
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About NACCHO
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) represents the nation’s nearly 3,000 local governmental health departments. These city, county, metropolitan, district, and tribal departments work every day to protect and promote health and well-being for all people in their communities. For more information about NACCHO, please visit www.naccho.org.
