MPHA Awards
Each year, the Mississippi Public Health Association recognizes outstanding public health professionals who go "above and beyond" in performing their duties. The recognition includes three Prestige Awards, given for exemplary achievements. Each Section also recognizes at least one person in their group who exemplifies service and dedication in their field. An additional award recognizes outstanding leadership and service to the Association from among the membership.
Call for Awards - 2010
We encourage you to nominate one, two, or more people for these important awards. Public health professionals are caring, devoted people who deserve recognition for the work they do every day. If you've nominated people who haven't won in the past but whom you believe are deserving of recognition, please nominate them again. Only one person can win each year, so keep those nominations coming in!
When are nominations due? Where do we send them?
Nominations for 2010 Awards are due August 1, 2010. Information regarding each award is listed below, along with nomination forms. Please provide a completed nomination form for any individual whom you feel is deserving of any of these Prestige Awards. You may also submit additional recommendation letters for the person nominated from other individuals both within the Association, work colleagues, and the community. Please fax or mail Prestige Award nominations to:
Lawana Thompson
Field Services, O-457
350 Woodrow Wilson Ave
Jackson, MS 39215-1700
For more information, please contact Lawana Thompson at
601-576-7459 (phone)
601-576-7208 (fax)
lawana.thompson@msdh.state.ms.us (e-mail)
Nomination Forms
Prestige Awards
Felix J. Underwood Award
Recipients of the Felix J. Underwood Award earn an honor reserved only for those people who share concern with "the father of public health in Mississippi" for protecting the health of Mississippians. Felix J. Underwood, MD, served as State Health officer from 1924 until 1958. He died January 9, 1959, in the office from which he had directed the state's public health program for 34 years.
Alton B. Cobb Lifetime Achievement Award
Recipients of the Alton B. Cobb Lifetime Achievement Award include individuals who exemplify the services standards set by Dr. Cobb. Dr. Cobb devoted nearly two decades of his distinguished career to serving as Mississippi's State Health officer, leading the state's public health system to pioneer integration of services, a major departure from the traditional categorical service delivery system, and exhibiting transformational leadership at a time when most other states' public health executive directors held office two years or less.
Jon "Vic" Bailey Award
Recipients of the Jon "Vic" Bailey Award have performed outstanding service to his/her community or to an individual in the community during the preceding 12 months. The award was made possible by Mrs. Jon "Vic" Bailey, a citizen who established a fund to assist in the fight against tuberculosis and to provide for this award.
MPHA Outstanding Member Award
The MPHA Outstanding Member Award is given to an individual member of MPHA for outstanding contributions, leadership, and achievements in service to MPHA. Individuals nominated must have been an active MPHA member for at least five consecutive years to receive this award.
Section Awards
Section Awards are selected by individual Sections, which have guidelines pertaining to each nomination. Nominations are generally accepted from Section membership and currently include the following awards; for more information, please contact the appropriate Section Chair listed below. Please note that some Sections give more than one award.
Wilma White Clerk of the Year
Office Professionals Section: Delmer Roark, 662-563-5603, delmer.roark@msdh.state.ms.us
John Barr WIC Distribution Clerk of the Year
Office Professionals Section: Delmer Roark, 662-563-5603, delmer.roark@msdh.state.ms.us
Paul M. Rankin Public Health Environmentalist of the Year
Environmental Section: Gene Herring, 601-364-2300, EHerring@msdh.state.ms.us
Durward L. Blakey Epidemiology Award
Epidemiology Section: Jerome Winston, 601-576-7725, Jerome.Winston@msdh.state.ms.us
Randy Caperton Administrator of the Year
Health Administration Section: Kathy Beam, 228-831-5151, Kathryn.Beam@msdh.state.ms.us
Mary D. Osborne Public Health Nurse of the Year
Public Health Nurse Aide
Nursing Section: Kay Henry, 601-576-7635, Kay.Henry@msdh.state.ms.us
Vonda A. Webb Nutritionist of the Year
Nutrition Section: Katina Dixon, 601-482-3171, Katina.Dixon@msdh.state.ms.us
TaWanda Ferrill Breastfeeding Award
Nutrition Section: Katina Dixon, 601-482-3171, Katina.Dixon@msdh.state.ms.us
Judy Barber Social Worker of the Year
Social Work Section: Patti Garvin, 601-544-6766, Patricia.Garvin@msdh.state.ms.us
Lyn Hartwig Community Health Service Award
Social Work Section: Patti Garvin, 601-544-6766, Patricia.Garvin@msdh.state.ms.us