Annual Awards2025 Awardees2025 Award Descriptions and Link to Submit Nominations for 2026 are BelowTPHA recognizes outstanding efforts and leadership in its members and partners each year through the awards listed below. Awardees (pictured below) were recognized at a luncheon on Thursday, September 18 during the 2025 Annual Conference.
R. H. Hutcheson, Sr. MD AwardThis award is named in honor of Dr. R. H. Hutcheson, Sr., Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Public Health for many years. The award is to be presented to that person in the field of public health who has made outstanding contributions to public health over a period of several years. The nominee must have been a member of TPHA for a minimum of five (5) years and an Active or Life Member of the Association in the year the award is given. 2025 winner is Pattie Kiddy, Director (Ret.) for McNairy and Decatur County Health Departments. Alex B. Shipley, MD, AwThis award is named in honor of Dr. Alex B. Shipley, Health Director of the East Tennessee Grand Division for a number of years. An outspoken advocate of public health, Dr. Shipley’s work contributed greatly to building local health department infrastructure in Tennessee. This award is to be presented to an employee of a regional or local health department who has made outstanding contributions in the field of public health over a period of several years. The nominee must be a member of TPHA for five (5) years, including the year upon which the award is based. 2025 winner is Laura Conner, Director for Morgan, Roane and Scott County Health Departments. Public Health Worker AwardThis award is presented to that person in the field of public health who, during the past three years, has provided outstanding service to the field. The person must be in full-time employment in the field and must hold active or life membership in the Association. 2025 winner is Paul Brummitt, Business Technical Lead for Northeast Region, Tennessee Department of Health. Public Health Work Group AwardThis award is presented to a local, regional, or state public health group, unit, or department that has made an outstanding contribution to public health. At least a portion of the team must be a current member of TPHA during the year in which the award is given. 2025 winner is the Putnam County Health Department, Monterey Site Team. Partner and Leadership Award (Individual and Group)This award is presented to a non-public health professional, group, or organization that has made a significant contribution on behalf of public health, which is extraordinary and would set an example for others. At the discretion of the Awards Committee, two separate categories of PAL Awards (group/organization and individual) may be presented in a given year. 2025 Individual PAL Award recipient is Valerie Hyde with Trudy's Kids Cafe. For more information, Click Here. 2025 PAL Group Award recipient is the CHART Program. The Doris Spain Award for Distinguished ServiceThe Doris Spain Award for Distinguished Service award recipient is recommended based on their significant contributions made to the Association and approved by the TPHA Board of Directors. Marian Levy, DrPH, RD, FAND, is this year's recipient of the Doris Spain Award for Distinguished Service in recognition for her major contributions to the mission of the Tennessee Public Health Association. Dr. Levy is Professor and Associate Dean of the School of Public Health at the University of Memphis. She is a member of TPHA's Board of Directors for which she serves as representative to the American Public Health Association's Governing Board. Member of the YearThis award recognizes the TPHA member who demonstrates commitment to the Association in 3 areas – volunteerism, leadership and representation of the organization. Nominations are made by the Executive Director based on contribution to the organization. 2025 Member of the Year is Dr. Dawn Ford, who served as Program Chair for the Annual Conference. Section Awards Award Nomination FormPrevious Award Winners
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Tennessee Public Health Association is an affiliated association of the American Public Health Association (APHA). APHA is the national voice of public health and champions the health of all people and all communities. They are the only organization that combines a 140-plus year perspective, the ability to influence federal policy to improve the public’s health and a member community from all public health disciplines and over 40 countries.
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