NACDD Celebrates 2025 Impact Award Honorees

ATLANTA, Sept. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) is proud to announce the winners of its 2025 Impact Awards, presented during the Association's Annual Business Meeting on Sept. 11.

NACDD's Annual Impact Awards celebrate diverse and innovative approaches being used to address chronic disease across our nation, from advancing data modernization to improving preventive screening outreach to expanding access to care. Together, the honorees demonstrate the power of public health leadership in building healthier communities nationwide.

"The Impact Awards are one of the most meaningful traditions we have as an Association," said NACDD Interim CEO Jeanne Alongi, DrPH, MPH. "They spotlight the extraordinary work of our Members—whether leading on the national stage, strengthening communities, or innovating behind the scenes. This year's honorees remind us that progress in chronic disease prevention is made real through the commitment of public health workers who show up, often under immense pressure, and at times controversy, to improve lives."

Nominations for the awards come from NACDD Members and are reviewed by a committee of the Association's Board of Directors. This year's committee was chaired by At Large Director Barbara Wallace (New York) and included Lainey Faulkner (Kansas), David Hoffman (New York), Kimberly McDonald (North Carolina), and Ashley Minaei (Alaska).

"What stood out to me about this year's awardees is not just their accomplishments, but the way they've brought others along with them," Dr. Wallace added. "Whether through mentorship, community partnerships, or cross-sector collaboration, these public health leaders are ensuring that their impact is lasting and shared. Though it's no surprise, it's always inspiring to see the passion, dedication, and fortitude of so many in our profession."

This year's honorees are:

Community Impact Award (Chronic Disease Unit)
Sage Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program
Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Division
Minnesota Department of Health, and partners

Community Impact Award (Individual)
Yvonka M. Hall
Executive Director
Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition

Community Impact Award (Individual)
Terri Swartout
School Health Coordinator
Minnesota Department of Education

Health for All Award
Casey Eastman
Deputy Director
Office of Family and Community Health Improvement
Washington State Department of Health 

Chronic Disease Innovator Award
Long Covid Team
Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Division
Minnesota Department of Health

Data Systems Change Leadership Award (Team)
Minnesota's Chronic Disease Data Modernization Team
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)

Data Systems Change Leadership Award (Individual)
Katie Zimmerman
Senior Business Analyst
Utah Department of Health and Human Services

Joseph W. Cullen Excellence Award
Maurizio Nichele
Retired GI Surgeon and Program Director of the colorectal cancer screening program at the State of Connecticut Department of Corrections

Rising Star Award
Courtney Ramsey-Coleman
Healthy Eating and Nutrition Security Coordinator
Division of Public Health
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Mentor Award
Julie Sergeant
Deputy Bureau Director, Bureau of Health Promotion
Kansas Department of Health and Environment

Lifetime Achievement Award
Ruth Petersen 
Former Director (retired)
Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Contact: Stacey Evans, [email protected]

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SOURCE National Association of Chronic Disease Directors