MPHA has established a number of awards to recognize individuals for contributions to and accomplishments in public health.  Nominations are solicited annually by the Leadership Committee and the awards are announced at the annual meeting.  The awards are:

• The Albert Justus Chesley Award honors an individual who has “distinguished themselves in the field of public health and who (have), through (their) membership, made a definite contribution to the Minnesota Public Health Association.”

• The B. Robert Lewis Award is presented to "an Elected Official who has distinguished themselves in aggressive pursuit to establish and maintain health as a human right and to secure optimal community and personal health."

• The Dr. Harold 'Hal' Leppink Scholarship is awarded to "an early career professional who is working for Local Public Health and located in Greater Minnesota."

• The Harvey G. Rogers Environmental Health Leadership Award honors “an individual who through years of dedication, distinguished service and technical contribution has promoted the public's health through preservation of the environment.”

• The Laura Waterman Wittstock Racial Justice & Health Equity Award honors "a person or team who has demonstrated their commitment to advancing racial justice and health equity for American Indian, African American/Black, Latinx/Chicano Latino/Latino(a), Asian American, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities as well as individuals that are low-income, LGBTQ+, immigrants, and those with disabilities."

• The Paul and Sheila Wellstone Public Health Achievement Award honors “an individual who has distinguished themselves in public health through an outstanding contribution… to promote and protect the health of individuals, families and the community… (and) leadership as demonstrated by the impact of on other’s careers or having made a contribution that reflects innovation, creativity or a courageous pioneering effort consistent with professional excellence and public service.”

• MPHA Student Achievement Award is presented to "a student enrolled in a master’s degree program at a Minnesota School of Public Health or a student enrolled in a master’s degree program at a Minnesota School of Nursing with a concentration in public health who has demonstrated leadership skills in the contribution to the promotion of the health of individuals, families and the community."

Congratulations to the 2022 MPHA Award Winners!

Albert Justus Chesley Award: Julie Myhre, Carlton, Cook, Lake, St Louis Community Health Board

B. Robert Lewis Award: Andrea Jenkins, Minneapolis City Council President

The Dr. Harold 'Hal' Lepik Scholarship: Tracy Gilsvik, Public Health Supervisor, Lake County, MN

Harvey G. Rogers Environmental Health Leadership Award: Ginny Yingling, Hydrologist, Minnesota Department of Health

The Laura Waterman Wittstock Racial Justice & Health Equity Award: Mary Manning, Assistant Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Health

The Paul & Sheila Wellstone Public Health Achievement  Award: Maria Veronica Svetaz, MD, Medical Director, Aqui Para Ti

Student Achievement Award: Sabrina Kubisa, BA and MPH Student in Public Health, St. Catherine University

Outstanding Service to MPHA's Racial and Health Equity Initiatives: Morgan Mulhern, Racial Equity and Advocacy Initiative Project Manager