The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) honored more than a dozen leaders in maternal and child health with the annual AMCHP Awards during its 2019 annual conference in San Antonio, Texas.
The AMCHP Awards, recognizing excellence in the field of maternal and child health, were presented on stage during the plenary sessions at the conference on March 9-12, which was attended by more than 900 administrators, researchers, advocates, and frontline staff from around the nation. AMCHP is privileged to announce the winners.
JOHN C. MACQUEEN LECTURE AWARD
For innovation in the field of maternal and child health.
Donna Petersen, ScD, MHS, CPH
Senior Associate Vice President, USF Health
Dean, College of Public Health
University of South Florida
Tampa, Fla.
VINCE HUTCHINS LEADERSHIP AWARD
For leadership in promoting a society responsive to the needs of women, children, youth, and families.
Rear Adm. Wanda Barfield, MD, MPH, FAAP
Director, Division of Reproductive Health
Atlanta, Ga.
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC
EMERGING MCH PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
For outstanding state or local MCH professionals under age 45 whose work has made substantial contributions to their state’s MCH program; their state’s maternal and child health outcomes; or made other significant contributions to promoting and protecting the health of women, children, and families in their state.
Region I – Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut
Jaime Comella, MPH
Maternal and Child Health Program Manager
Rhode Island Department of Health
Region II – New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
Derval N. Petersen, DHEd, MAOM
Director, Maternal Child Health & Children with Special Health Care Needs Program
U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health
Region III – Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and West Virginia
Shamaree J. Cromartie, MPH
Blood Disorders Program Coordinator
Virginia Department of Health
Region IV – Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi
Kelly Kimple, MD, MPH, FAAP
Section Chief
Division of Public Health, Women’s and Children’s Health Section
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Region VI – New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana
Gloria Grady, BA, MPH
Health Equity Coordinator
Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health
Region VII – Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri
Stephanie Wolf, RN BSN, CLC
MCH/Perinatal Health Consultant
Perinatal Community Collaboratives Program Coordinator
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Region VIII – Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah
Miriam Naiman-Sessions, PhD
Senior Epidemiologist Supervisor
Family and Community Health Bureau, Public Health and Safety Division
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Region IX – Nevada, California, Arizona, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands (American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Island, and Palau)
Heather Pangelinan, MS
Northern Mariana Islands
Region X – Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska
Wes Rivers, MPAff
Policy and Assessment Specialist
Adolescent and School Health
Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division
MERLE MCPHERSON FAMILY LEADERSHIP AWARD
For exemplary contributions to further family/professional collaboration within the state Title V program and AMCHP.
Dana Yarbrough, MS, MA
Community Supports Specialist
Assistant Director, Strategic Initiatives
Partnership for People with Disabilities
Virginia Commonwealth University
EXCELLENCE IN STATE MCH LEADERSHIP AWARD
For an outstanding state MCH professional whose career has made significant contributions to the health of women, children, and families in his or her state.
Ailis Clyne, MD, MPH
Medical Director
Division of Community Health and Equity
Rhode Island Department of Health
RYAN COLBURN SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
For a youth-with-disabilities leader to attend the AMCHP Annual Conference, connect with family leaders and continue to spread Ryan Colburn’s message of hope.
Julia Hartman
EQUIP Leader
Able, S.C.
GOBEYOND MCH GRADUATE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
For emerging, exceptional scholars who are completing their graduate work in an MCH field to attend the AMCHP Annual Conference.
Kathryn Mishkin, MPH
Senior MCH Fellow
American Public Health Association
INNOVATION STATION AWARDS
Innovation Station practice awards recognize contributions to the MCH evidence base as well as exceptional programs that have demonstrated a positive difference in the MCH field. These three practices received the highest scores out of the 21 practice submissions to the Innovation Station database in 2018.
BEST PRACTICE AWARD
Innovative Approaches: Community Systems Building Grants for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
North Carolina Division of Public Health
BEST PRACTICE AWARD
Pono Choices
University of Hawaii
PROMISING PRACTICE AWARD
Internship Program for Youth with Special Needs
Rhode Island Department of Health
