Event Details

The CPH Foundation hosted its Second Annual Unsung Heroes of Public Health awards event on Wednesday, October 26, 2011. The awards event honored individuals who have worked to produce meaningful results in disease control or prevention efforts, but who have never received significant recognition for their work. The CPH Foundation flew the awardees to Washington, DC for a reception in their honor at Washington's historic Union Station - just steps from the U.S. Capitol. Earlier in the day our 2011 winners toured Capitol Hill, meeting with congressional staff, committee members and members of Congress. Special thanks to all of those who made our 2011 event such a great success.

We are especially thankful to have the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's support of our 2011 Unsung Heroes of Public Health awards.

Photos clockwise from top left:  (1) Dr. Silver, Ms. Lunsford, Representative Roybal-Allard (D-CA) and Dr. Garcia; (2) Winners again with Representative Phil Roe (R-TN); (3) Ane Romero of Representative Napolitano's office (D-CA) presenting Dr. Garcia's award; and (4) Ms. Laura Gordon, Ms. Liz Szabo and Mr. Karl Moeller, The CPH Foundation's executive director, during Media Award presentation.  More photos are posted here.

The 2011 Winners:

Dr. Lynn Silver-Chalfin, our Wavemaker Award winner, helps lead New York City's health department in cutting salt, trans fat, and sugar-laden drink consumption; ensuring menus list calories, improving the built environment - and much more.

Dr. Luis Garcia has won our Rock in the Pond Award for his mental health awareness work in Southern California. His 20-year career has targeted then needs of Latino youth and families. He is a leader in substance abuse and suicide prevention.

Ms. Liz Szabo, a reporter with USA TODAY, was awarded our Excellence in Media Award for her science-based public health reporting vaccine safety, new mom home visits, chronic disease prevention and childhood obesity.

Ms. Marjorie Lunsford, FNP, an Honorable Mention in the Rock in the Pond category, has led prevention efforts in rural Tennessee during her 30-year career. She has gone beyond the call of duty to improve the health of her community.

*For more details on our 2011 winners, click here.

Selection Committee

Nominations were considered by a volunteer selection committee. Members of our distinguished 2011 selection committee are listed below.

Isabelle Claxton, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, GlaxoSmithKline

Steven K. Galson, MD, MPH

Laura Gordon, General Manager of the Health Practice, Edelman

Jeffrey Levi, PhD, Executive Director, Trust for America's Health

Harrison C. Spencer, MD, MPH, President and CEO, Assoc. of Schools of Public Health

Sam Shekar, MD, CMO Health IT Programs, Northrop Grumman

Visit the 2010 Unsung Heroes webpage

To see our awards page and learn about our 2010 winners, click here.

To view photos from the 2010 and 2011 Awards events, click here.

To see a four minute video with highlights from the inaugural ceremony, click here.