Association of
North Carolina Boards of Health
ANCBH Awards
It has been the tradition of ANCBH to present 3 awards annually to fellow North Carolinians who have distinguished themselves in their service to public health in our state. We would like your help in nominating individuals or entire boards of health to receive these awards. The nomination form is available here.
Carl Durham Award
Eligible: Institutional, Individual, Associate or Emeritus Member of ANCBH
Nominee:
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has made significant contributions to public health
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is an effective advocate for public health at the local, regional, and/or state levels.
Outstanding Board of Health Award
Eligible: ANCBH Institutional Member
Nominee:
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The board’s leadership in public health accomplishments must be clearly evident.
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The accomplishment must either have documented results or be currently producing intended results.
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The activity may be accomplished through the health department, other agencies, or groups.
Robert Ed Strother Partnership Award
Eligible: Individual
Nominee:
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Established and/or fostered a public-private partnership, which has improved public health for the community
Award Recipients
ANCBH is proud to recognize individuals and groups for their contributions to and accomplishments in public health. We're pleased to introduce to you to these outstanding individuals and organizations.
2025 Recipients​
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Outstanding Board of Health Award
Presented to Madison County Board of Health
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Carl Durham Award
Presented to Rachel Royce, PhD, MPH
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Robert ‘Ed’ Strother Partnership Award
Presented to Dr. Bahby Banks, Pillar Consulting
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ANCBH President’s Award
Presented by ANCBH President Dr. Benjamin Tillett to Ms Edna Hensey
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2024 Recipients
Outstanding Board of Health Award
Guilford County Board of Commissioners
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Carl Durham Award
Catawba County Environmental Health Team
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Robert ‘Ed’ Strother Partnership Award
Christie Sykes, RN, Alamance County Refugee Program
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ANCBH President’s Award
Presented by ANCBH President Dr. Jean Douglas to Dr. Benjamin Tillett
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2023 Recipients
Vaughn Upshaw Award
Presented to Karina Gonzalez, MPH Candidate UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
Robert Blackburn Award
Presented to Robert Zerniak, MPH Candidate, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
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2022 Recipients
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2021 Recipients
2020 Recipients
Robert L. Strother Award
2020: Warren County Health Department (Dr. Margaret Brake) and H.O.P.E Regional Medical Clinic (Demaura Russell)
2020: Yadkin County Health Department (Jessica Wall) and Hands of Hope Medical Clinic (Marty Driver)
2023: Surry County Health and Nutrition Center and Mark Willis, Director of the Surry County Office of Substance Abuse and Recovery
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Carl Durham Award
2020: Eva Brown (Warren County)
2023: Surry County Board of Health (Eddie Jordan, Chairman)
2024: Catawba County Environmental Health Team
2025: Rachel Royce, PhD, MPH (Orange County)
Vaughn Upshaw Award
2020: Tanvi Shaw
2021: Aoife O'Connor
2022: Karina Gonzalez
2023: Karina Gonzalez
2024: N/A
2025: N/A
Robert Blackburn Award
2020: Jessica Lynn Mrugala
2021: Megan DeMarco
2022: Samuel Elliott Krause
2023: Robert Zerniak
2024: N/A
2025: N/A
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Outstanding Board of Health Award
2023: Stanly County’s Consolidated Health and Human Services Board
2024: Guilford County Board of Commissioners
2025: Madison County Board of Health
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ANCBH President's Award
2024: Dr. Benjamin W. Tillett (Person County)
2025: Ms Edna Hensey (Wake County)
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