TACCHO Awards and Recognition Program

 The TACCHO Awards and Recognition Program was established to honor actions 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.

Awards and Recognition
TACCHO Awards and Recognition Program

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
 

TACCHO Members Recognized for Work in 2020 During COVID-19

TACCHO Members responded rapidly in March 2020 to the new novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to curb the spread of the virus and protect the health of the people in their community. These local public health entities, departments and districts worked 24/7 for months, and still continue to respond to outbreaks while planning for the rollout of vaccines. A Texas flag was flown over the Texas Capitol during November and December 2020 at the request of the Senator, recognizing TACCHO Members for their work during the past 10 months. These front-line local public health professionals work every day to ensure that people have the opportunity to live, work and play in a safe and healthy community! TACCHO Members appreciate the recognition by their state policymaker! Click here to see the list of Senators and TACCHO Members Recognized.

 

See the following TACCHO Members displaying their flag and certificate:

Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District - staff and volunteers from local college schools of pharmacy, PA, and nursing.

Recognized by Senator Dawn Buckingham

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Milam County Health Department - the Staff

Recognized by Senator Charles Schwertner

From left to right:  Leslie Watkins, LVN;  Vicki Moore, RN, BSN;  Robert Kirkpatrick, Executive Director;  Amanda Huner, LVN; Esmerelda rueles-Olivares

Milam County Health Department Staff, Precinct Commissioners and County Judge

Front row - staff as listed above.

Back Row: Henry “Hub” Hubnik, Commissioner Pct #1;  Donald Shuffield, Commissioner Pct#2;  Art Neal, Commissioner Pct#3;  Jeff Muegge, Commissioner Pct#4; Milam County Judge Steve Young

 

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Fort Bend County Health and Human Services - "The Heavy Lifters"

Recognized by Senator Lois Kolkhorst

From left to right:

Kaye Reynolds, DrPH – Deputy Director of Public Health Practice
Nicolette Janoski, MPH – Chief Epidemiologist and Epi Division Program Manager
David Olinger – Coordinator of Public Health Emergency Preparedness
Anna Gonzalez, MSW – Social Service Directors and Rental Assistance Program Administrator
Ben Adesope – Deputy Director of Operations and COVID Response Operations
 
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Laredo Department of Health
 
Recognized by Senator Judith Zaffarini
 

 

City of Laredo Health Department Epidemiology and Public Health Emergency Preparedness staff who have been responding to COVID-19 since March 2020.