St. Louis County offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 16, in observance of Presidents' Day.
The St. Louis County Recorder's Office is transitioning to a new Land Records Management System. Read this document for details on timing and potential impacts.

Public Health Achievement Awards

 
 

The St. Louis County Board and the Public Health and Human Services Department recognize and honor community organizations, businesses and residents who demonstrate a commitment to improving the health of individuals, families, and communities. The Public Health Achievement Awards are presented annually during the first week of April, coinciding with National Public Health Week. This year's awards will be presented during the St. Louis County Board meeting on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. 

Award winners are chosen based on the following criteria: 

  • Leadership: Nominee has demonstrated leadership abilities through work and service.  
  • Public Health Contributions: Nominee has demonstrated originality and innovation in creating solutions to public health problems and has contributed to advancing improvement in the health status of the community through work and service.  
  • Community Health Improvement: The activities of the nominee have contributed to successful outcomes, bringing positive change, and improving the health status of the community.  
  • Collaboration: Nominee has promoted collaboration and cooperation among individuals, organizations, agencies, and the people served by the St. Louis County Public Health Division.  
  • Advocacy: Nominee has been involved in promoting health and healthy behaviors, and/or protecting the health and safety of St. Louis County residents. 

Nomination Instructions

  • Use the link below to access the online nomination form. 
  • Nominations must describe public health contributions made within the previous two years and describe the improvements made on the selected public health issue.
  • A nomination form may be completed by an individual or group. Individuals or groups may submit more than one nomination or nominate themselves.
  • Nominations and attachments become the property of St. Louis County Public Health.
  • Awards are intended for individuals and organizations that are not part of St. Louis County Public Health.
  • Contact Amy Westbrook (below) if you have any questions about the awards or nominating instructions. These nomination instructions/form can be emailed as a PDF document upon request.
  • Nominations must be submitted by no later than 4:30 p.m., Friday, March 6, 2026:

 

Amy Westbrook, St. Louis County Public Health Division Director
320 West 2nd Street, Duluth, MN 55802
Email: publichealth@stlouiscountymn.gov
Phone: 218-725-5210

 

Previous Honorees

2025 Award Winners:

  • Dr. Jan Baldwin
  • Nathan Kesti
  • Mel Alvar
  • Christina Trok

2024 Award Winners:

  • Divine Konnections Inc
  • Teri Morrison
  • Youth Mental Health Days Committee
  • Mallory Cummings

2023 Award Winners: 

  • Ely Community Health Center 
  • Rural Aids Action Network (RAAN) 
  • First Ladies of the Hillside 
  • Duluth City Councilor, Terese Tomanek 

2020 Award Winners: 

  • Rachel Doherty and Barbara Hinsz (Mesabi East Environmental Education Center)
  • Dr. Jennifer Jones and Dr. Jordan Blessing
  • South St. Louis County Veterans Treatment Court

2019 Award Winners: 

  • Dr. Laura Palombi
  • Ely Community Care Team
  • Dementia Friendly Duluth
  • Ashley Grimm

2018 Award Winners: 

  • The Rutabaga Project
  • Heather Hemphill Keely

2017 Award Winners: 

  • Verne Wagner
  • The Diabetes Prevention Program partners (Duluth Area and Mesabi Family YMCAs and Essentia Health in Duluth and Virginia)

2016 Award Winners: 

  • Ruby's Pantry
  • Eversmiles Pediatric Dentistry

Contact

 

Public Health Main Offices

Southern St. Louis County
218-725-5210

Northern St. Louis County
 218-471-7600

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