NACDD Celebrates 2025 Impact Award Honorees
ATLANTA, GA (Sept. 11, 2025) – 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 Thursday, September 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 (HPCD)
Minnesota Department of Health, and partners
Team Members:
Christina Nelson, Sage Program Director
Carlie Koberstine, Sage Program Coordinator
Haley Storms-Kruchten, Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Coordinator
Karli Thorstenson, HPCD Communications Coordinator
Karen Grasmon MDH Rural Communications Specialist
Matt Flory American Cancer Society, Associate Director State Partnerships
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
Team Members:
Kate Murray, Post-viral chronic conditions (Long COVID) Program Director
Jay Desai, Section Manager of Long COVID program
Lindsey Theis, Communications Specialist
Emerson Wheeler, Grants and Contracts Strategic Planner
Emily DeKnight Kelly, Grants and Contracts Specialist
Sarah Diaz, Management Analyst
Dr. Ruth Lynfield, Minnesota State Epidemiologist
Elizabeth Gyllstrom, Epidemiologist Principal
Stephanie Meyer, Epidemiologist Supervisor
Ashley Fell, Epidemiologist Senior
Amanda Markelz, Epidemiologist Intermediate
Data Systems Change Leadership Award (Team)
Minnesota’s Chronic Disease Data Modernization Team
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
Team Members:
Renée Kidney, Chronic Disease Epidemiologist/Chronic Disease Data Strategist
Chris Brueske, Director of the Office of Data Strategy and Interoperability
Ann Zukoski, Director of the Center for Health Promotion and Chronic Disease
Ally Fujii, CVH and Stroke Quality Improvement Coordinator
Nate Wright, Principal Syndromic Surveillance Epidemiologist
Pamela Mink, Director of Health Services Research
Jay Desai, Chronic Disease Epidemiologist
Erica Johnson, Business Liaison and Application Support Supervisor
Jim Peacock, Supervisor, Cardiovascular Health Unit
Rachel Cahoon, Research Scientist
With support from:
Khatidja Dawood, Division Director, Health Promotion and Chronic Disease, MDH
Chuck Stroebel, Assistant Division Director, Health Promotion and Chronic Disease, 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 Surgeonand Program Director of 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
Dr. Ruth Petersen
Former Director (retired)
Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention