ASTHO Honors Public Health Heroes

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) recognized seven public health leaders for their dedication and service at this year's ASTHO Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health Commissioner John Auerbach is the 2012 McCormack Award winner. Established in 1950 to honor the late Arthur T. McCormack, a Kentucky state health official, the McCormack Award is presented each year to a current or former public health official who has served for at least 10 years, been a chief state health official for at least five years, demonstrated excellence, and made a significant contribution to the knowledge and practice of the field. Since becoming a health official in 2007, Auerbach has effectively led efforts across all levels of government to improve population health and foster health equity. Under his leadership, the department has developed new and innovative programs to address racial and ethnic disparities, promote wellness, combat chronic disease, and support the successful implementation of the state's healthcare reform initiative.

The Noble J. Swearingen Award was given to Reuben "Ed" Davidson III, public health administrative officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health. Since 1979, the Swearingen Award, named for a former ASTHO executive director, has been bestowed on one individual in public health administration who has 10 or more years of experience in a state health agency and five or more years in service to the ASTHO Senior Deputies Committee or in some other capacity. Davidson has a long history of dedicated, compassionate, and distinguished service to Alabama and public health spanning five decades. He has been actively involved with the Senior Deputies Committee for more than 10 years, where he has shared his thorough knowledge of public health administration. 

The Presidential Meritorious Service Award is given by the ASTHO president honoring a health leader who has made outstanding contributions to ASTHO and state public health. This year, ASTHO President David Lakey, MD, recognized two individuals with this award: Jennifer Howse, president of the March of Dimes, and Ruth Ann Shepherd, division director for maternal and child health with the Kentucky Department for Public Health. Howse became president of the March of Dimes in January 1990. Under her leadership, the March of Dimes has achieved unprecedented revenue growth and significant expansion of mission initiatives. Shepherd has presented on preterm birth prevention and other public health topics in several states and nationally. In conferring the award to Shepherd, Dr. Lakey acknowledged her leadership and the work of all members of the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs have done to reduce preterm birth and infant mortality. Both Howse and Shepherd have served as important partners in the ASTHO's Healthy Babies President's Challenge, an initiative to improve birth outcomes in the United States.

ASTHO's Alumni Award is presented to a former chief state health official who has demonstrated his or her continued commitment to public health. This year's Alumni Award winner is Leah Devlin, state health director for North Carolina from 2001 to 2009. Under Devlin's leadership, the state successfully handled outbreaks of new and emerging infectious diseases, reduced infant mortality rates, and strengthened school health services. She has been a continuous and vigilant supporter of ASTHO during her tenure as a state health director and beyond.

The National Excellence in Public Health Award was presented to Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association (APHA) since December 2002. Benjamin previously served as secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. In addition to his outstanding service at APHA and in Maryland, he is a strong champion for public health accreditation.

The State Excellence in Public Health Award went to Kathryn C. Perkins, assistant commissioner for regulatory services at the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. Perkins developed and implemented a statewide emergency medical service and trauma care system in Texas, designating trauma facilities, and creating a trauma registry to monitor the system.

ASTHO congratulates its award winners for their dedication and service to improving health and wellness.

ASTHO is the national nonprofit organization representing the public health agencies of the United States, the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia, as well as the more than 100,000 public health professionals these agencies employ. ASTHO members, the chief health officials of these jurisdictions, are dedicated to formulating and influencing sound public health policy and to ensuring excellence in state-based public health practice. Web: www.astho.org; Twitter: @ASTHO.

SOURCE Association of State and Territorial Health Officials