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. TACCHO members advocate for the health and well-being of all of those who choose Texas as their home. TACCHO members educate all interested stakeholders on local public health through research, data, and personal stories, helping our partners better understand what it means to live in Texas.
Local health departments in Texas, regardless of size, 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. It is an opportunity to recognize the efforts of our peers, and congratulate their success in the field of public health at the TACCHO annual public health conference.
TACCHO members are eligible to make nominations for the awards.
TO NOMINATE FOR THIS YEAR's AWARDS, PLEASE CONTACT THE TACCHO OFFICE at Tacchoadmin@TACCHO.org
TACCHO HAS SEVEN AWARDS:
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. Providing time sensitive information to the public and managing misinformation has never been more important both in periods of crisis (Zika, Ebola, Public Health/Emergency Preparedness, etc.) and non-crisis (human and pet vaccines, food safety, swimming pool safety, etc.). The utilization of social media platforms by health departments and providing direct information to the public has become a useful tool in assisting the public in making timely community and personal health decisions and in the promotion of public health messages.
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
Local health departments in Texas, regardless of size, 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 Local Health Department (LHD) of the Year Award was established to honor these efforts performed by LHDs within the state of Texas. It is an opportunity to recognize the efforts of our peers, and congratulate their success in the field of public health at the TACCHO annual summit.
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 was developed to recognize individuals for a career of outstanding service to the Texas Association of City & County Health Officials.
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
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE Award - Local Health Department Staff
The 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. As one of TACCHO’s highest honors, this award is a means of expressing gratitude, recognition and encouragement of professional accomplishment in public health at the local level. The Outstanding Public Health Service Award - LHD - assures a perpetual capability for recognizing achievements while urging current enterprise and new efforts.
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. As one of TACCHO’s highest honors, this award is a means of expressing gratitude, recognition and encouragement of professional accomplishment in public health at the state level. The Outstanding Public Health Service Award - DSHS - assures a perpetual capability for recognizing achievements while urging current enterprise and new efforts.
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. As one of TACCHO's highest honors, this award is a means of expressing gratitude, recognition and encouragement of professional accomplishment to move public health forward at all levels of government.
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 support public health, that have displayed leadership in advocating for public health. Examples will include how personshave worked to Prevent illness, Promote public health and Protect their constituents.
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
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