Apply for an Award
Each year, NACCHO recognizes the remarkable accomplishments of local health departments and health officials through the following awards. Winners are honored at a special ceremony and reception at the NACCHO360 Conference.
Below are descriptions for all annual awards, including eligibility and submission requirements. For more information, please contact [email protected].
Every year, the Model Practices Program honors and recognizes outstanding local public health practices and shares them through the Model Practices Database. By submitting a practice, local health departments contribute to the overall improvement of public health through effective evidence-based initiatives.
Annually, the Model Practices Program award winners are recognized at NACCHO360. Learn more about the Model Practices Program by visiting the Model Practices webpage.
To learn more about this year's Model Practice Program please watch the recording of our Model Practice Informational Webinar.
About the Award
The “National Champion of Local Governmental Public Health Award" gives recognition to significant and innovative activities and accomplishments by an individual, agency or affiliate organization that has consistently and/or, in an extraordinary way, promoted the visibility, resources for, importance of, and recognition of local governmental health departments or NACCHO on a national basis. It is hoped that the award will encourage others to act in a similar vein. Past recipients have included local health officials, an entire health department, and a Member of Congress for their outstanding service to the field.
Eligibility
The recipient (s) of this award will demonstrate at least one of the following achievements:
- Cultivate leaders outside of local health department to speak in support of the department’s priorities and/or funding.
- Significant activities and accomplishments on behalf of the field of local public health
- Demonstrated service to the advancement and impact to local public health
- Commitment, skill and effort demonstrated on behalf of local public health
- Promote the visibility and importance of the field of local public health
Annually, the Model Practices Program award winners are recognized at NACCHO360.
NACCHO remembers Maurice “Mo” Mullet, MD, who passed away on September 7, 2014. Mullet’s distinguished career in public health inspired NACCHO’s “Mo Mullet Lifetime of Service Award,” which honors local health officials for noteworthy service that reflects Mullet’s commitment, vigor, and leadership. To view Mullet’s obituary, click here.
About the Award
NACCHO’s 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.
Eligibility
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
Annually, the Mo Mullet Lifetime of Service Award winner is recognized at NACCHO360.
Click here to access the application.
Previous Winners
2025: Elaine O’Keefe, MSPH
Learn more about Elaine.
2024: Hugh H. Tilson, MD, DrPH, FACPM
2023: Jody Hershey, MD, MPH, PhD
2022: Bruce Dart, PhD
2019: Carol Moehrle, RN, BSN
2018: Rex Archer, MD, MPH
2017: Marty Wasserman, MD, JD
2016: Patrick M. Libbey
2015: Patrick Lenihan, PhD, MUPP
2014: Joan Ellison, RN, MPH
2013: Mary Selecky
2012: Robert Harmon, MD, MPH
As part of fulfilling its mission of “advocating for local health departments,” NACCHO seeks to recognize outstanding accomplishments related to advocacy and outreach to Members of the United States Congress to better health policy outcomes.
About the Award
Many factors go into policymaking decisions. Successful advocacy does not necessarily mean Congress changed or implemented a policy. A successful advocate may raise visibility of public health issues, develop a meaningful relationship with a lawmaker or their staff, and/or become a trusted messenger and resource in public health matters. Lawmakers rely on their staff and constituents like local health officials to educate them on policy in order to craft legislation that keeps Americans healthy and safe.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants are any local health department staff. To apply for this award, applicants must show documentation of their advocacy efforts. The awardee(s) will be selected by NACCHO’s Past Presidents Council and will be notified in the spring. The awardee(s) will be recognized at NACCHO360. There is no application fee for the submission process.
How to Apply
Annually, award winners are recognized at the NACCHO360 Annual Conference.
Applicants are asked to provide a detailed yet concise description (500 words maximum) of their advocacy work to address public health issues at the federal and/or state level. NACCHO members may nominate another NACCHO member or themselves. Though not required, strong applications should include example(s) or documentation of one or more of the following, as well as any progress or positive outcomes:
I. Virtual Activities
- Sent a NACCHO-prepared email to a Member of Congress (This can be through NACCHO’s Congressional Action Network Alerts.
- Wrote and sent a personalized letter to a Member of Congress or a member of State Legislature
- Talked with Congressional of State legislative Staff by phone
- Engaged with a public social media platform with a Member of Congress or State legislator
- Wrote an op-ed in a local or national publication promoting the work of public health
- Responded to an inquiry from their National or State elected officials
II. Meeting Activities
- Met with a Member of Congress and/or Congressional staff at their Washington, D.C. office
- Met with a Member of Congress and/or Congressional staff in their district office
- Met with a member of their State legislature
- Testified in front of a legislative body
- Participated in a briefing for elected officials
Click here to access the application.
For more information, please contact [email protected].
Samuel J. Crumbine Consumer Protection Award for Excellence in Food Protection: This award honors local environmental health jurisdictions that demonstrate unsurpassed achievement in providing outstanding food protection services to their communities. Learn more.
Innovative Practice Award: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, NACCHO developed the Innovative Practice Award to recognize and honor programs and practices that have been quickly and/or creatively developed in response to a specific and emerging public health issue. You can see all past awarded Innovative Practice Awards in our Model Practice Database.
Visit the Model Practice Award Database to learn more about this year's award-winning Public Health Programs from NACCHO's Model Practice Program.
If you would like to learn more about the award-winning programs developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit our Innovative Practice Award Database.