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Awards and Recognition

At Cobb & Douglas Public Health, we strive to create healthier lives in the communities where we work. Every day, residents of Cobb and Douglas counties are served by dedicated, talented and caring public health professionals. Together with our staff and partners, Cobb & Douglas Public Health strives to exceed expectations. Here, we honor the awards and recognition our staff, facilities, and agency have achieved through continuous improvement and industry excellence.

2023

Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) – “Sellers-McCroan Award” – Rachel Franklin, MPH, CIC, Chief Epidemiologist, Cobb & Douglas Public Health; Savannah Hardin, Epidemiologist, Cobb & Douglas Public Health and Christopher Gulledge, MD, Cobb County Medical Examiner
Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) – “Administration Outstanding Service Award” – Valerie Prince, BA, Director, Center for Administration and Chief Financial Officer, Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) – “Al Dohany Community Service Award” – Lisa Crossman, MS, Deputy Director, Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) – “Ruth B. Freeman Nursing Award for Population Health Practice” – Pepa Koleva, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) – “Fred Agel Governance Award” – Lisa Cupid, JD, MPA, Cobb County Commission Chair and Cobb Board of Health Member
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award” – Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting” – Cobb & Douglas Public Health

2022

Emory University – “Rollins School of Public Health COVID-19 Epidemiology Fellowship Above & Beyond Award” Sheena Norwood, MPH, Epidemiologist
Douglas County Chamber of Commerce – “Educate-HER! Award” – Lisa Crossman, MS, Deputy Director
The Telly Awards – “Bronze Telly Award for Cinematography” – Prescription Medication PSA – Lori Jouty, Public Health Analyst – Overdose Response Specialist
Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) – “Fred Agel Governance Award” – Dr. Romona Jackson Jones, Douglas County Commission Chair and Douglas Board of Health Member
Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) – “Environmentalist of the Year Award” – Chris Hutcheson, Director, Center for Environmental Health
Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) – “Barfield Nursing Award” – Ginny Powell, BSN, RN, Clinic Supervisor, Acworth-Kennesaw Public Health Center
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award” – Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting” – Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Safe Kids Georgia/Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – “Excellence in Programming Effectiveness” – Melissa Chan-Leiba, Safe Kids Cobb Coordinator/Injury Prevention District Coordinator

2021

Douglas County Chamber of Commerce – “Large Business of the Year Award” – Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Cobb County Sheriff’s Office – “Meritorious Service Award 2021” – Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Douglas County Chamber of Commerce – Advancing Modern Professionals in Douglas (AMP’D) Program – “Top Ten Young Professional of 2021” – Rachel Franklin, MPH, CIC, Director of Epidemiology & Infectious Disease
Atlanta Business Chronicle – “2021 Women of Influence” – Dr. Janet Memark, M.P.H, F.A.C.P., District Health Director
Atlanta Business Chronicle – “Atlanta’s Healthiest Employer” Finalist – Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Georgia Public Health Association – “Fred Agel Governance Award” to recognize outstanding commitment and service in the promotion of public health – Carol Holtz, RN, PhD, Cobb Board of Health Chair
Kiwanis Club of Marietta – “Walter Zeller Fellowship” for outstanding community service – Lisa Crossman, MS, Deputy Director
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Promising Practice Award – “Retaining Public Health Professionals” – Cobb & Douglas Public Health’s Workforce Administration Team
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Honorable Mention Award/Innovative Practice Category – “2020 Digital Power in Truth Conference” – Cobb & Douglas Public Health’s Adolescent Health & Youth Development Team
The Extension – “Dr. Judith A. Hoyt Award for Community Leadership” – Lisa Crossman, MS, Deputy Director
Georgia State University – “Preceptor of the Year” – Gurleen Roberts, DrPH, MPH, Director, Office of Quality Management
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting” – Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award” – Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Georgia Government Finance Officers Association – 2021 Government Finance Officers Association Leadership Academy Full Scholarship – Valerie Prince, BA, Director, Center of Administration

2020

National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Promising Practice Award – “Make Food Safer with Employee Health Achievers” – Karen Gulley, Environmental Health County Manager – Cobb County and Chris Hutcheson, Director ,Center for Environmental Health
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Promising Practice Award – “A Performance-Based Health Department Approach to Aligning Agency Plans” – Gurleen Roberts, DrPH, MPH, Director, Office of Quality Management
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting” – Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award” – Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Marietta Business Association/Cobb Chamber of Commerce – “2020 Marietta Citizen of the Year” – Lisa Crossman, MS, Deputy Director
2020 Best of Cobb – “Best Site for COVID-19 Testing” – Jim R. Miller Park COVID Front-line staff led by Catharine Smythe (Clinical Services Director), John Houser (EP&R Director), Dennis Thayer (EP&R Deputy Director) and Dawn Krahwinkel (Clinical Services Deputy Director)

2019

Department of Family and Children Services – Georgia PREP Shining Star Facilitator Award – Nicole Turner
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Model Practice Award – “A Partnership Between Cobb & Douglas Public Health and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for Creating Continuity During a Mass Fatality Incident” – Jenaila Hawkins, MSA, EMHP, Healthcare Liaison/MRC Coordinator
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Promising Practice Award – “Promoting Public Health Through an Innovative Mass Media Initiative” – Valerie Crow, BA, Director of Communications
Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) – “Janet Stancliff Epidemiology Award” – Rachel Franklin, MPH
Georgia Public Health Association – “Larry W. Miller Health Information Specialist of the Year Award” – Melissa Green, RN
Georgia Public Health Association – “GPHA Accreditation Award” – Gurleen Roberts, DrPH, MPH
Atlanta Business Chronicle – “Atlanta’s Healthiest Employer” Finalist – Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting” – Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award” – Cobb & Douglas Public Health
GFOA “Certificate of Recognition for Budget Preparation” – MaryKay Maples, CDPH Budget Accountant
GFOA “Award of Financial Reporting Achievement” – Michele DiSalle, CDPH Comptroller

2018

Recognition for Meeting FDA Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standard 9 (Program Assessment) – Karen Gulley, CDPH Environmental Health County Manager and the Food Service Team
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Model Practice Award – “Creating a Resource Development Office to Diversify Public Health Funding” – Jan Heidrich-Rice, CDPH District Development Director
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting” – Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award” – Cobb & Douglas Public Health
GFOA “Certificate of Recognition for Budget Preparation” – Valerie Prince, BA, CDPH Deputy Director, Center for Administration
GFOA “Award of Financial Reporting Achievement” – Michele DiSalle, CDPH Comptroller
Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center “I am a TB leader” 1st Place Award – Phyllistine Gardner, CDPH District TB Coordinator and TB Team

2017

Recognition for Meeting FDA Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standard 1 (Program Assessment) – Karen Gulley, CDPH Environmental Health County Manager and the Food Service Team
Cobb County Chamber of Commerce – Leadership Cobb Class of 2018 – Valerie Prince, Cobb County Deputy Administrator
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Model Practice Award – “Decreasing Risky Behaviors in Youth through the Power in Truth Conference”– Viva Price, Children & Youth Section Manager – Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention
NACCHO Promising Practice Award – “Enhancing Employee Engagement Through a Comprehensive Internal Communications Strategy” – Valerie Crow, Director of Communications
NACCHO Promising Practice Award – “Creating a Resource Development Office to Diversify Public Health Funding” – Jan Heidrich-Rice, District Development Director
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting” – Cobb & Douglas Public Health
GFOA “Financial Reporting Achievement Award” – Michele DiSalle, CDPH Comptroller
Douglas County Chamber of Commerce – Leadership Douglas Class of 2018 – Susan Wright, Douglas County Environmental Health County Manager (Douglas)
Georgia Department of Defense “Vigilant Guard 2017 Award” – Pam Blackwell, RN, Director of Emergency Preparedness & Response
Georgia Department of Defense “Vigilant Guard 2017 Award” – Chandra McElhaney, Training and Exercise Coordinator, Emergency Preparedness & Response

2016

Georgia Department of Public Health Breastfeeding Professional Employee of the Year Award – Rebecca Henson, CLC, Breastfeeding Coordinator
Recognition for Meeting FDA Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standard 3 (Program Assessment) – Karen Gulley, CDPH Environmental Health County Manager and the Food Service Team
Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) Nursing Excellence Award – Rose Bishop, RN, Supervisor and Program Manager Pregnancy Services
GPHA Lillian D. Wald Public Health Nursing Award – Beverly Shatteen, RN, BSN
Loving Support Gold Award – WIC Breastfeeding Program (given by USDA, FNS and WIC)
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Model Practice Award – “The Food Safety Partnership Panel”– Karen Gulley, Environmental Health County Manager
NACCHO Promising Practice Award – “Creating a Resource Development Office to Diversify Public Health Funding” – Jan Heidrich-Rice, District Development Director

2015

Buckle Up! America Award, 2015 – Lin Snowe and Dianna Vaughn, Safe Kids Douglas County
Recognition for Meeting FDA Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standard 7 (Program Assessment) – Karen Gulley, CDPH Environmental Health County Manager and the Food Service Team
Georgia Department of Public Health – 2015 Good to Great Story – Most Vision, Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) Environmental Health Innovation Award – Karen Gulley, Environmental Health County Manager (Cobb)
Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) National Accreditation Status, Cobb & Douglas Public Health
State Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities and their Families (SICC) Board – Beth Mathison, M. Ed., Children and Youth with Special Needs (CYSN) District Director
State Mike Terwilliger Award for Community Preparedness and Leadership – Pam Blackwell, RN, Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response
State WIC Convention – 2015 Breastfeeding Peer Counselor – Sophie Theodore, Peer Counselor
State WIC Convention – 2015 Breastfeeding Professional – Rebecca Henson, Breastfeeding Coordinator
State WIC Convention – 2015 Clerical – Sharon Storey, Program Associate
State WIC Convention – 2015 Competent Professional Authority – Reecha Ravula, Nutritionist
State WIC Convention – 2015 Laboratory Technician Award – Terri Ellis, Social Service Tech
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Model Practice Award – Cobb County Safety Village – Interactive Health and Safety Education, Cobb & Douglas Public Health – Lisa Crossman, MS, Deputy Director
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Southeast Region – 2015 Outstanding Program Award – Cobb & Douglas Public Health Breastfeeding Program & Loving Support Peers

2014

Cobb Chamber of Commerce Greatness in Numbers Award – Lisa Crossman, MS, Deputy Director
Cobb Chamber of Commerce Health Hero Award – John D. Kennedy, MD, MBA, District Health Director
Cobb County Safety Village Partner Award – Cobb & Douglas Public Health (CDPH)
Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Nursing Excellence Award – Laurie Ross, RN, Family Health Management Director
Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) Fred Agel Governance Award – Dan Stephens, MD, Cobb Board of Health Chair
GPHA Office Personnel Outstanding Service Award – Dominique Hardman, MPA
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Model Practice Award – CDPH Program Summary Tool – Emily Frantz, Director of Center for Organizational Performance and Strategy Management
NACCHO Promising Practice Award – Safety Village Public Health Interactive Learning Center Modules – Lisa Crossman, MS, Deputy Director
National Institute of Health (NIH) We Can! Educator Award – Esther Ashford, Public Health Educator

2013

Cobb Chamber of Commerce Len Gilbert Award for Board Leadership Excellence – Lisa Crossman, MS, Deputy Director
Georgia Department of Public Health Association Nursing Excellence Award – Kathy Woods, RN, Cobb Children 1st Manager
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Promising Practice Award – CDPH Program Summary Tool – Emily Frantz, Director of Center for Organizational Performance and Strategy Management
Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) Ruth B. Freeman Public Health Nursing Award in 2012 – Laurie Ross, Family Health Management Deputy Director
State level leadership role in the Babies Can’t Wait bailout and re-designs in 2013-2014 – Beth Mathison, District Director Children and Youth with Special Needs

2012

Cobb Executive Women Glass Ceiling Award, Lisa Crossman, MS, Deputy Director
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) Ambassador – Amy Hoffman (Benson), Youth Development Coordinator/Alcohol and Other Drugs Director
Douglas CORE Community Service Award – Tamekis Williams, Health Educator
NACCHO’s National Nurse Triage Line Workgroup Appointment, Pam Blackwell, Director of Emergency Preparedness & Response
Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) Dental Policy Excellence Award – John D. Kennedy, MD, MBA, District Health Director
GPHA Al Dohany Community Service Award – Rose Bishop, RN, PCM Manager
GPHA Ruth B. Freeman Public Health Nursing Award – Laurie Ross, RN, Family Health Management Deputy Director
GPHA Office of Personnel Award – Cynthia Appleby, Human Resources Director
Marietta City Schools Partner Appreciation, Cobb & Douglas Public Health School Health Program
National Institute of Health (NIH) We Can! Award of Excellence – Amy Hoffman (Benson), Youth Development Coordinator/Alcohol and Other Drugs Director
WellStar Foundation Business Partner of the Year Award for SafeKids program – Lisa Crossman, MS, Deputy Director
WellStar Foundation Step Up Award, Lisa Crossman, MS, Deputy Director
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Model Practice Award – Center for Organizational Performance and Strategy Management (OPSM) – Emily Frantz, Director of OPSM
NACCHO Promising Practice Award – Safety Village Public Health Interactive Learning Center Modules — Lisa Crossman, MS, Deputy Director

2011

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities Office of Prevention Services Region 1 PSA Contest Winner – Underage Drinking Prevention, Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Award for Asthma-Friendly Schools Policies – Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Georgia Governor’s Red Ribbon Week Award – Power In Truth Conference, Cobb & Douglas Public Health

2010

Cobb Chamber of Commerce Len Gilbert Award for Board Leadership Excellence – Lisa Crossman, MS, Deputy Director
National Institutes of Medicine Countermeasures Workgroup Appointment – Pam Blackwell, Director of Emergency Preparedness & Response
Safe Kids Georgia Coalition Coordinator of the Year Award – Amanda Walpole, Cobb & Douglas Safe Kids Manager

State of Georgia Faithful Service Awards

The Faithful Service Awards Program was established by the Georgia General Assembly to help attract and retain employees by recognizing their service to the citizens of Georgia. Through this program, employees are recognized annually, beginning with five years of total service and every five years thereafter. Cobb & Douglas Public Health employees are recognized each year at our CDPH Annual Conference and receive a service award certificate and/or lapel pin.