The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 Impact Awards, recognizing public health professionals and organizations whose work is making a meaningful difference in chronic disease prevention and health promotion across the nation. The awards were presented during NACDD’s Annual Business Meeting on Thursday, Sept. 17.
“Our Members are leading programs, building partnerships, testing new approaches, and finding ways to better serve their communities,” said NACDD Interim CEO Jeanne Alongi, DrPH, MPH. “We are proud to celebrate their contributions and grateful to have them as part of the NACDD community. Recognition matters, especially in a field where so much of the work is focused on helping others.”
Nominations for the Impact Awards are submitted by NACDD Members and reviewed by a committee of the Association’s Board of Directors. The 2026 committee was chaired by At Large Director Barbara Wallace (New York) and included Lainey Faulkner (Kansas), Sophia Hines (Michigan), Ashley Arezou Minaei (Alaska), Nancy Sutton (Rhode Island), and Kia Toodle (Georgia).
“Reviewing this year’s nominations was a wonderful reminder of just how much thoughtful, innovative, and dedicated work is happening across our field,” Wallace said. “What makes these awards especially meaningful is seeing not only what people have accomplished, but how they have supported others, built partnerships, and helped create lasting change in their communities.”
This year’s honorees are:
Joseph W. Cullen Excellence Award
Pamela Price
Deputy Director, The Balm In Gilead
The Joseph W. Cullen Excellence Award is given to an individual outside the traditional public health field who has made outstanding contributions in the area of chronic disease. In her role, Pamela leads the Southeast Diabetes Faith Initiative, which helps create an infrastructure within faith-based institutions to effectively deliver the National Diabetes Prevention Program and PreventT2 curriculum.
Chronic Disease Innovator Award
Justan Baker, Senior Epidemiologist and Program Evaluator
Erica F. Hanson, CCHW (Referral Operations Manager)
Rhode Island Department of Health
Justan and Erica enhanced how Rhode Island connects residents to evidence-based lifestyle change programs. By reimagining the department’s centralized Community Health Network, they developed a secure, cost-effective in-house referral system, creating a more efficient and sustainable pathway to connect Rhode Islanders with programs that can improve their health.
Community Impact Award (Team)
ScreeND Team, Quality Health Associates (QHA) of North Dakota/Mountain Pacific
Judy Beck, Program Manager
Nikki Medalen, Quality Improvement Specialist – Lead
Jonathan Gardner, IT System Administrator
Carolyne Tufte, Quality Improvement Specialist
ScreeND was launched under the CDC’s Colorectal Cancer Control Program to increase screening rates, particularly in rural and tribal communities that face geographic isolation, transportation challenges, and limited healthcare resources. ScreeND partnered with 21 clinics across 15 health systems, reaching more than 64,000 individuals, and resulting in meaningful reductions in screening disparities and sustainable systems change.
Community Impact Award (Individual)
Ann Potempa
Health Program Manager – Communications Lead, State of Alaska Division of Public Health – Health Systems Collaboration
Ann conceived and led both the Play Every Day campaign, aimed to reduce childhood obesity, and Fresh Start, Alaska’s outreach campaign connecting Alaskans to free or low-cost chronic disease prevention programs. She has been a steadfast advocate for ensuring that messaging is culturally grounded and responsive to the unique needs of the state’s diverse populations.
Rising Star Award
Rochelle Roberts
State Dementia Director, Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Healthy Aging
Rochelle has advanced healthy aging by building an integrated statewide approach connecting dementia and brain health with chronic disease prevention, aging services, healthcare workforce development, rural health, data, and community-clinical partnerships. She has brought innovation to this work through initiatives such as TN Dementia ECHO, which has expanded dementia knowledge and clinical capacity, while strengthening partnerships through statewide advisory groups and learning collaboratives.
Health for All
Hanna Kite
Director of Community Behavioral Health, Cook County Department of Public Health in Illinois
Hanna’s leadership has improved health outcomes for populations that often face barriers to care by establishing a stronger behavioral health infrastructure, expanding community partnerships, increasing investments in underserved communities, and promoting innovative, equity focused approaches to chronic disease prevention and behavioral health across suburban Cook County. She also leads the Building Healthier Communities Behavioral Health Grant Program, which supports 31 community-based organizations delivering positive youth development, mental health promotion, and opioid overdose prevention services.
Excellence in Chronic Disease Data Modernization Leadership (Team)
Montana’s Chronic Disease Data Modernization Team: William Gardner, Heather Zimmerman, Lisa Richidt, Jessie Fernandes, and Courtney Geary
This team assembled last year through NACDD’s Chronic Disease Data Modernization Action Incubator, and modeled how advancing data modernization can be done in a way that’s thoughtful, inclusive, and driven by chronic disease program priorities. They have stayed engaged with peers through alumni meetings and have continued the work, including updating a data resource guide for chronic disease.
Excellence in Chronic Disease Data Modernization Leadership (Individual)
Rachel Meyer
CIC Disease Prevention Epidemiologist, Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Rachel’s initiative and steady, collaborative leadership have been a driving force in advancing chronic disease data modernization in Wisconsin and beyond. As a participant in NACDD’s Chronic Disease Data Modernization Action Incubator, Rachael consistently went beyond her own state’s priorities to support the national movement. Rachel’s leadership stands out not just for the cross-agency relationships she built in Wisconsin, but for the way she has inspired other state teams to think bigger, learn from one another, and move their own data modernization efforts forward.