Awards and Recognition

The Texas Association of City & County Health Officials (TACCHO) is the premier member organization serving both Texas local public health officials and the departments which they lead in order to enhance local public health practice in Texas with the ultimate goal of improving the health of Texans and the communities in which they live. 

Local health departments in Texas strive to realize this goal through the prevention of disease and the promotion and protection of the health of all those who reside in Texas. The TACCHO Award and Recognition Program was established to honor these efforts performed by LHDs, their staff and supporters of public health within the state of Texas. 

TACCHO members are eligible to make nominations for the awards.

For questions regarding nominations FOR THIS YEAR's AWARDS, PLEASE EMAIL THE TACCHO OFFICE at Tacchoadmin@TACCHO.org

EDUCATION THROUGH INNOVATION Award

TACCHO’s Education through Innovation Award recognizes the educational efforts developed by local health departments in Texas to disseminate and promote public health information and public health initiatives via technological means. 

2026 Awardee - Chambers County Public Health

2025 Awardee - Wichita Falls - Wichita County Public Health District

2024 Awardee - Austin Public Health

2023 Awardee - Williamson County and Cities Health District

2020 Awardee - Brazos County Health District

2019 Awardee - Austin Public Health 

2018 Awardee - Waco-McLennan County Public Health District

LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT of the YEAR Award

The TACCHO Local Health Department (LHD) of the Year Award honors public health efforts performed by LHDs within their community and in the state of Texas. 

2026 Awardee - Lubbock Public Health / South Plains Public Health District

2025 Awardee - Brazos County Health District

2024 Awardee - Waco-McLennan County Public Health District

2023 Awardee - Brazos County Health District

2020 Awardee - City of El Paso Department of Public Health

2019 Awardee - San Antonio Metropolitan Health District

2018 Awardee - Williamson County and Cities Health District

MERITORIUS SERVICE Award

The TACCHO Meritorious Service Award recognizes individuals for a career of outstanding service to the Texas Association of City & County Health Officials.

2024 Awardee - Jennifer Smith, MSHP, TACCHO ED Emeritus

2023 Awardee - Lou Kreidler, RN, BSN, Retired Director, Wichita Falls - Wichita County Public Health District

2020 Awardee - Stephen L. Williams, MEd, MPA, Director, Houston Health Department

2019 Awardee - Jennifer Smith, MSHP, TACCHO Executive Director

2018 Awardee - Lou Kreidler, RN, BSN, Director, Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District

Diamond Award for Lifetime Service

The Diamond Award / Outstanding Public Health Service Award - Local Health Department staff - is presented annually to an outstanding employee within a Texas local public health department (LHD) who has demonstrated extraordinary performance with an exemplary commitment to local public health. 

2026 Deborah R Duncan-Hurdle, BA, MSSW-LMSW, Austin Public Health

2025 Awardee - Amy Raborn, Waco-McLennan County Public Health District

2024 Awardee - Erika Gutierrez Martinez, City of Laredo Public Health Department

2023 Awardee - Dr. Yao Akpalu, Brazos County Health District

2020 Awardee - Sara Mendez, MS, Health Promotion Manager, Brazos County Health District

2019 Awardee - Corey Hart, City of Amarillo Department of Public Health

OUTSTANDING PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE Award - Department of State Health Services Staff

The Outstanding Public Health Service Award - Department of State Health Services Staff - is presented annually to an outstanding employee within the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) who has demonstrated extraordinary performance with an exemplary commitment to public health. 

2020 Awardee - Glenna Laughlin, MA, CHES, Public Health Liaison and Project Coordinator, Regional and Local Health Operations, Department of State Health Services

2019 Awardee - Debbie Mata - Texas Center for Infectious Disease

POLICY LEADER Award

The TACCHO Policy Leader Award is presented annually to an outstanding policy leader in the local, state or national arena who has demonstrated extraordinary performance and commitment to improving the public's health and particularly, supporting local public health. 

2023 Awardee - Texas House Representative Stephanie Klick, Chair, House Committee on Public Health

2020 Awardee - Texas State Senator Borris L. Miles, Member, Senate Committee on Health and Human Services

2019 Awardee - Texas State Representative Four Price - Chair, House Public Health Committee

PUBLIC HEALTH LEADer Award

The Public Health LEADer Award recognizes work by public health advocates that aligns with the TACCHO strategic priorities: Leadership, Education, Advocacy and Development. This award celebrates persons, both in public health or who support public health, that have displayed leadership in advocating for public health. 

2026  Awardee Kaila Thompson, MPH, CPH, CHWI, Fort Bend County Health and Human Services

2024 Awardee - Richard A. Chamberlain, DrPH, MPH, CPHA, CPM, CHW, RS, City of Laredo Public Health Department

2023 Awardee - Cari Waller, RN, BSN, Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District

2020 Awardee - Robert "Bob" Lamkin, Environmental Health Services Manager, Brazos County Health District

2019 Awardee - Carol Brown, RN, Brazos County Health District

2018 Awardee - Amy Fulcher - Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District

PUBLIC HEALTH CHAMPION

TACCHO's Public Health Champion Award recognizes an outstanding advocate for public health who demonstrates continuous leadership in promoting the mission of public health and is not currently employed by a local health department.

2026 Awardee - Christine D. Garner, PhD, RD, CLC, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

RISING STAR AWARD

TACCHO's Rising Star Award recognizes a public health professional early in their career within a Texas Local Health Department (LHD), District, or Department of State Health Services who demonstrates leadership qualities and is an active contributor to team goals.

2026 Awardee - Tara Kinslow, Abilene-Taylor County Public Health