IPHA Awards
For 100 years, Iowa Public Health Association has been serving Iowans and Iowa’s public health community. Our impact is immeasurable, and unlimited, as we look to the future. On April 1st, 2025, public health friends and supporters gathered to share stories, celebrate success, and recognize our 2025 awardees. We would like to give a sincere thank you to our event sponsors and donors. You can view photos from the event here.
Iowa Public Health Association (IPHA) recognizes those who have dedicated their careers to the advancement of public health and health equity. That process begins with members nominating colleagues and organizations that have demonstrated exemplary leadership and service in public health.
The IPHA Awards are intended to recognize work across the spectrum of what makes up today’s public health workforce and partners. (Scroll down to see award categories) They are inspired by the legacy awards presented in the past (previous awards and honorees).
The 2025 IPHA Award Honorees are:
Emerging Leader: Ragan Martin
Health Equity Advocate of the Year: Mary Nelle Trefz
Partner of the Year: Colleen Frein & Mason City Chamber of Commerce
IPHA Change-Maker: Alicia Steines
Pictured: Alicia Steines, Colleen Frein, Ragan Martin, Mary Nelle Trefz
Award Categories
Emerging Leader Award (could include students and young professionals)
Recognizes an individual who has exhibited public health leadership in Iowa through advocacy, community involvement and/or program innovation as a student or early career professional.2025 winner: Ragan Martin
2024 winner: Amber Hawkins
2023 winner: Anya Morozov
2022 winner: Alyse DeVries
Partner of the Year Award
Recognizes an organization, agency, or business beyond traditional public health settings that has contributed to the health of Iowans. Nominees should be organizations that have engaged in successful cross-sector collaboration, developed shared goals, leveraged funding and investments, and/or empowered communities.
2024 winner: Iowa Community Hub
2023 winner: Back the Black Campaign
2022 winner: Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Health Equity Advocate of the Year Award
Recognizes individuals or groups that have made significant contributions to improving health equity in Iowa through education, advocacy, systems change, and/or program innovation.
2024 winner: Corey D. Lewis
2023 winner: Reverend Dr. Mary Robinson
2022 winner: Jo Bridgewater
IPHA Change-Maker Award
Recognizes an individual of outstanding innovation and impact on preventing disease and promoting health equity in Iowa. It honors systems-change work that aligns with the principles of Public Health 3.0.
2024 winner: Jennifer Stiles
2023 winner: Eat Greater Des Moines
2022 winner: Elizabeth Faber