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 working for Local Public Health 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 2021 MPHA Award Winners!

Albert Justus Chesley Award: Annie Halland, County Manager, UCare

B. Robert Lewis Award: Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota

Harvey G. Rogers Environmental Health Leadership Award: Amira Adawe, Executive Director, Beautywell Project

The Paul & Sheila Wellstone Public Health Achievement Award: Jackie Dionne, Director, American Indian Health, Minnesota Department of Health

Student Achievement Award: Delaine Anderson, University of Minnesota, School of Public Health