IPHA Awards

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. They are inspired by the legacy awards presented in the past.

• Emerging Leader Award
  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.
• 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.
• 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.
• IPHA Change-Maker Award
  Awarded to an individual in recognition 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.

The Iowa Public Health Association (IPHA) recognizes those who have dedicated their careers to advancing public health and health equity. This process begins with members nominating colleagues and organizations that have demonstrated exemplary leadership and service in public health.

This year’s nominations will be collected via the Nomination Google Form. Nominations must describe accomplishments and explain how the individual or organization meets the award category descriptions.

Nominations are due by February 22, 2026.

Emerging Leader Award

Honors an individual in Iowa who has demonstrated leadership in public health through advocacy, community engagement, 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

Health Equity Advocate of the Year Award

Honors individuals or groups in Iowa who have made meaningful contributions to advancing health equity through education, advocacy, system improvements, or program innovation.

2025 winner: Mary Nelle Trefz

2024 winner: Corey D. Lewis

2023 winner: Reverend Dr. Mary Robinson

2022 winner: Jo Bridgewater

Partner of the Year Award

Honors an organization, agency, or business outside traditional public health settings that has positively impacted the health of Iowans. Nominees should demonstrate successful cross-sector collaboration, shared goal development, resource leveraging, and/or community empowerment.

2025 winner: Mason City Chamber of Commerce

2024 winner: Iowa Community Hub

2023 winner: Back the Black Campaign

2022 winner: Johnson County Emergency Management Agency

IPHA Change-Maker Award

Honors an individual for exceptional innovation and impact in disease prevention and health equity advancement in Iowa, recognizing systems-change efforts that align with the principles of Public Health 3.0.

2025 winner: Alicia Steines

2024 winner: Jennifer Stiles

2023 winner: Eat Greater Des Moines

2022 winner: Elizabeth Faber