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 NACCHO 360 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.
The 2024 Model Practice Applications are NOW OPEN!
The application deadline is December 31, 2023 at 11:59 PM PST. Apply today by clicking HERE to access this year's application.
To learn more about the award and the application cycle, click HERE to view the 2024 Model Practice Program informational webinar.
The 2024 Model Practices Program award winners will be announced later this spring and honored at the 2024 NACCHO360 Conference, July 23–26 in Detroit, MI. Learn more about the Model Practices Program by visiting the Model Practices webpage.
2024 Applications
The 2024 National Champion of Local Governmental Public Health Award applications are NOW OPEN! The deadline to submit your application is December 31, 2023.
About the Award
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) is pleased to announce the establishment of a new annual “National Champion of Local Governmental Public Health Award.”
This award gives recognition to outstanding, significant, and innovative activities and accomplishments by an individual, agency or organization that has consistently 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.
Eligibility
The recipient (s) of this award will demonstrate the following achievements:
- Significant activities and accomplishments to 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
The deadline to submit a nomination is Sunday, December 31, 11:59 PM PST.
The award recipient will be selected in the spring and recognized at the 2024 NACCHO360 Conference, July 23–26 in Detroit, MI.
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
Previous Winners
2022: Bruce Dart, PhD
2019: Carol Moehrle, RN, BSN
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
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.
About the Award
Many factors go into policymaking decisions. Successful advocacy does not necessarily mean Congress changed or implemented a policy, law or funding level based on recommendations. However, a successful advocate will develop a meaningful relationship with a lawmaker and their staff, and become a trusted messenger and resource in public health matters. Lawmakers are not experts in public health policy, and they rely on their staff and constituents like local health officials to educate them on policy and fiscal matters 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 NACCHO 360. There is no application fee for the submission process.
How to Apply
The 2024 application is NOW OPEN! The deadline to submit your application is December 31, 2023.
The award recipient will be selected in the spring and recognized at the 2024 NACCHO360 Conference, July 23–26 in Detroit, MI.
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 level. NACCHO members may nominate another NACCHO member or themselves. Winning applications should include at least one of the following:
I. Virtual Activities
- Wrote and sent a personalized letter to a Member of Congress
- Talked with Congressional Staff by phone
- Tweeted at a Member of Congress
- Wrote an op-ed in a local or national publication promoting the work of public health
- Sent a NACCHO-prepared email to a Member of Congress
- Posted on a Member of Congress’ Facebook wall
II. Meeting Activities
- Met with a Member of Congress and/or Congressional staff at their Washington, D.C. or district office
III. Cultivate Third Party Validators
- Cultivate leaders outside of local health
department to speak in support of the
department’s priorities and/or funding.
For more information, please contact [email protected].
Samuel J. Crumbine Consumer Protection: This award honors local environmental health jurisdictions that demonstrate unsurpassed achievement in providing outstanding food protection services to their communities.
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 2023 Model Practice Award Database to learn more about this year's award-winning Public Health Programs from our 30th Anniversary of the NACCHO Model Practice Program.
The 2024 Model Practice Applications are NOW OPEN!
The application deadline is December 31, 2023 at 11:59 PM PST. Apply today by clicking HERE to access this year's application.
To learn more about the award and the application cycle, click HERE to view the 2024 Model Practice Program informational webinar.
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.