Awards

Each year, MPHA recognizes excellence in public health by awarding the following distinctions to organizations and individuals who make a difference in Maine.

Presidents’ Award

The Presidents’ award is the highest award given by MPHA. Nominations are solicited and vetted by MPHA past presidents.

Public Health Program of Excellence Award

MPHA recognizes effective, efficient, evidence-based and creative public health programs that you know of in your community, district or throughout Maine. The goal of the Program of Excellence Award is to increase the visibility of public health initiatives in Maine, to promote adoption of effective public health programs, and to provide recognition to organizations involved in successful collaborative public health initiatives.

Award Recipients:

Yarmouth Community Coronavirus Task Force (2022)
New Mainers Public Health Initiative (2021)
Wabanaki Public Health: Colored Paper Project (2020)
Maine Department of Transportation: My Maine Sign (2019)
The Locker Project (2018)
WinterKids (2016)
Muskie Public Health Education Corps & Camp Adventure (2015)
Portland Defending Childhood (2014)
Healthy You (2013)
Diversion Alert Program (2012)
United Somali Women of Maine (2011)
Maine Newborn Hearing Program & the Mt. Desert Visiting Nurses Program (2010)
Maine Youth Overweight Collaborative (MYOC) (2009)
Let’s Go! (2008)
The Smoke-Free Housing Coalition of Maine (2007)
Raising Readers, MaineHealth & Power Up! Healthy Portland, City of Portland (2006)
Maine-ly Nutrition; PTM Treatment Initiative & The Maine Tobacco Free College Network (2005)
Maine Comprehensive Cancer Control Initiative (2004)
ME Cares Program at Medical Care Development & Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Public Health, UNE (2003)
AH! Asthma Health Program (2002)
Parents are Teachers Too (2001)
Saddleback Youth Initiative & Farmington Healthy Community Coalition (2000)
Ellsworth Area PATCH Exercise Programs; March Into May Greater Portland; Special Screening Day for Women, Portland & Nursing and Wellness Center, Bath Housing Authority (1999)
Move and Improve, Eastern Maine Medical Center; Outer Island Initiative, Mt. Desert Island Hospital; Kids and Transportation, Greater Portland Council of Governments & Take a Breather! Work Smoke Free, Portland Public Health Division (1998)
Greater Portland Water Fluoridation Initiative, Portland Public Health; Are You Man Enough to Stop? Portland Public Health Division & School Based Adolescent Immunization, Community Health Services (1997)

Ruth S. Shaper Memorial Award

The Ruth S. Shaper Memorial Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution in the area of public health. The individual will have demonstrated a broad orientation to health promotion and disease prevention that extends beyond his/her specific profession or field of interest. For example, the individual may have made a meaningful impact in health legislation, health education, health policy development, or consumer advocacy at either the community or state level. Professional rank or status in an organization is not an important factor.

Phebe Conrey King Access to HealthCare Award

The Phebe Conrey King Access to Healthcare Award recognizes an individual or individuals who have made a significant contribution to improving access to healthcare in Maine. The individual(s) will have demonstrated leadership abilities in promoting increased access to healthcare by all Maine residents. He or she will have made a significant contribution toward meeting the needs of the uninsured and medically under-served. The nominee need not be a member of the Maine Public Health Association. Programs are not eligible as MPHA has previously established an award to recognize exemplary programs.
Eligible recipients will have made a significant contribution to improving access to healthcare in Maine. Nominees will be judged on the following criteria:

• Proven leadership abilities in promoting increased access to healthcare by Maine residents.
• Evidence that their efforts have led to the actual provision of healthcare services to the under-served.
• A deep commitment to the goal of healthcare access by Maine residents.

Past recipients of the Phebe Conrey King Access to Healthcare Award:
Danielle Louder (2022)
Knox Clinic (2021)
Kate Ende (2020)
Carol Zechman (2019)
Natalie Morse (2018)
Kathy Martin, RD, MS (2013)
Peter McQuire, MD (2012)
Jane Pringle, MD (2011)
Patsy Leavitt (2010)
Mike McCarthy Special Mention to Portland Public School Board (2008)
Leah Binder (2007)
Chris Carpenter (2006)
Gov. John E. Baldacci (2005)

Pam M.B. Studwell Tobacco Policy Award

The Pamela M.B. Studwell Tobacco Policy Award is given to an individual whose dedication, persistence, and passion for improving lives has significantly advanced best practice tobacco policies in Maine.

Past recipients of the Pamela M.B. Studwell Tobacco Policy Award:
Vicky Wiegman (2022)
Kirsten Goodrich (2021)
Amber Desrosiers (2020)
Becky Smith (2019)
MaineHealth Health Index Team (Tim Cowan, Nancy Mooney, Kate Allerding) (2018)
Carol Coles (2014)
Dennise Whitley (2012)
John Archard (2011)
Jo Linder, MD (2010)

Public Health Policy Champion Award

This award recognizes a policymaker who has made a significant contribution to public health in Maine. This award was new for 2018.

Past recipients of the Public Health Policy Champion Award:
Anna Korsen (Full Plates Full Potential) (2022)
Represenative Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland) (2021)
Nathan Poore (Town Manager, Falmouth) (2020)
Senator Rebecca Millett (D-Cape Elizabeth) (2019)
Representative Jay McCreight (D-Harpswell) (2018)

Public Health Journalism Award

This award recognizes a journalist who has made a significant contribution to public health in Maine. This award was new for 2018.

Past recipients of the Public Health Journalism Award:
Rose Lundy (The Maine Monitor) (2022)
Erin Rhoda (Bangor Daily News) (2021)
The Maine Monitor (2020)
Joe Lawlor (Portland Press Herald) (2019)
Matt Stone (Bangor Daily News) (2018)

Public Health Business Champion Award

This award recognizes a business for its leadership and commitment to integrating and promoting public health values into business practices. This award was new for 2018.

Past recipients of the Public Health Business Champion Award:
The Jackson Laboratory’s Tewhey Laboratory (2022)
City of Bangor Wellness Committee (2021)
Hannaford Supermarkets (2020)
MaineWorks (2019)
Sterling Rope (2018)

Public Health Rising Star Award

This award recognizes a young professional (<40 years old) in Maine who has made a significant contribution to public health in Maine. This award was new for 2018.

Past recipients of the Public Health Rising Star Award:
Mercedes “Sadie” Faucher (2022)
Sarah Johnson (AdCare Maine) (2021)
Hawa Shir (City of Portland Public Health) (2020)
Emma Bond (ACLU, Maine) (2019)
Erin Guay (Healthy Androscoggin) (2018)

Unsung Hero Award

Public health is at its best when we don’t realize it’s serving us – this award is for those who work hard every day to protect and promote public health in whatever capacity is needed, and with a commitment to excellence. The new award recognizes an individual, department or organization who has positively influenced public health in Maine from behind the scenes. This award was new for 2019.

Past recipients of the Unsung Hero Award:
LA Emergency Task Force (2022)
Maine Access Immigrant Network Community Health Worker Team (2021)
Jesse Harvey (2020)
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2019)