The awards will be presented at the 2026 AMCHP Annual Conference from March 7 – 10, in Washington, DC
Washington, DC – The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP), an organization committed to advancing the health of women, children, youth, and families, is pleased to announce the winners of its 2026 AMCHP Annual Awards. The awards recognizing leaders, innovators, professionals, youth, and organizations for their commitment and contributions to advancing maternal and child health (MCH) will be presented during the 2026 AMCHP Annual Conference from March 7 – 10 in Washington, DC.
“AMCHP is proud to gather at our annual conference to recognize this year’s award recipients and to celebrate the extraordinary leadership they bring to MCH efforts across the nation,” said Terrance E. Moore, Chief Executive Officer of AMCHP. “In a time that has called for focus, adaptability, and resolve, these leaders and organizations have continued to move the field forward through collaborative action—strengthening programs, supporting families, and advancing solutions that make a lasting difference for MCH populations and the communities they serve.”
2026 AMCHP Annual Awards recipients include Wendy Elizabeth Barrington (John C. MacQueen Lecture Award), Annette Mente (Excellence in State MCH Leadership Award), Laura Kavanagh (Vince Hutchins Leadership Award), Eileen Auer Bennett (Merle McPherson Family Leadership Award), and Riley Patterson (Ryan Colburn Scholarship Award). Recipients for the Emerging MCH Professional Award include Courtney Smalt (Region I), Rebecca Shoaf Kozak (Region II), Makaila Davis (Region III), Alice Irby (Region IV), Mary Ellen Potts (Region V), Alexandra Simpson (Region VI), James Olson (Region VII), Angela Reinarts (Region VIII), Sophie Silverstone (Region VIII), Caroline Johnny-Jibas (Region IX), and Maria Ness (Region X).
This year’s awards edition recognizes the Metropolitan Ministries with the Community Partnership Award and the 1st Five Health Mental Development Initiative (Best Practice Award), Kids Network Safe Sleep Instructor Certification (Practice Development Award), and Ohio Department of Health Youth Homelessness Program (Community Wellness Impact Award) as recipients of the Innovation Hub Awards.
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The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) is a national resource, partner, and advocate for state public health leaders and others working to improve maternal and child health public health systems. AMCHP supports its members and the broader public health community by disseminating best practices, advocating on their behalf in Washington, DC, providing technical assistance, convening leaders to share experiences and ideas, and advising states about involving partners to reach a common goal of healthy children, healthy families, and healthy communities. For more information, visit www.amchp.org and follow AMCHP on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
Please contact Chery Manon (cmanonespinal@amchp.org) for questions or media requests.
