2026
CPHA Awardees
Congratulations to the Colorado Public Health Association's 2026 Award Winners!
Award for Excellence in Policy & Advocacy:
The Award for Excellence in Policy and Advocacy is presented to an individual or entity who has made a significant contribution in advancing health equity by improving socio-political determinants of health through organizational, local, state, and national policy and advocacy. Awardees can be external to CPHA and the public health industry.
This award was established in 1988 and is presented to a person or organization for playing a critical role in advocating for policies that support the advancement of public health at either the local, state or national levels.
Winner: Health Equity Commission, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Office of Health Equity
The Health Equity Commission (HEC) is deserving of the Award for Excellence in Policy & Advocacy for its leadership in transforming Senate Bill 21-181 into meaningful, lasting action to advance health equity across Colorado. The HEC has played a central role in guiding the development and implementation of Colorado's statewide Health Equity Strategic Plan. By bringing together leaders from state agencies, community organizations, health care, academia, Tribal communities, and individuals with lived experience, the Commission has created a collaborative model for embedding health equity into public policy. The Commission has provided strategic oversight and accountability for agency Equity Strategic Plans, ensuring that state agencies identify measurable actions to address the social, economic, and environmental conditions that influence health. The Commission has elevated equity as a shared responsibility across state governments through public meetings, conferences, cross-sector collaboration, and ongoing review of agency progress. In addition to this, the Commission has strengthened Colorado's public health infrastructure by advancing equitable grant funding recommendations and informing statewide health equity reports. These efforts have laid the foundation for more equitable, data-informed policymaking across Colorado. The Commission's impact extends well beyond individual policies. It has fostered enduring partnerships between state government and communities, elevated historically underrepresented voices in decision-making, and created systems that will continue advancing health equity for years to come. The HEC has established a lasting framework for improving the health and well-being of all Coloradans.
Award for Innovation in Public Health:
The Award for Innovation in Public Health is presented to an individual, team or organization who has developed an innovative and translatable solution to a significant public health challenge. This may include, but is not limited to, technology innovation, public health practice approach, research project, innovative partnerships.
This award was established in 1972 in recognition of Colorado Board of Health member P.W. Jacoe for his devotion to duty, his excellence of work, his leadership and contributions to public health.
Winner: STRIDE Community Health Street Medicine Team
The STRIDE Community Health Street Medicine team has transformed care for people experiencing homelessness and housing instability in Aurora and across Colorado through innovative, low-barrier, embedded service delivery that directly addresses anti-racism and equity—CPHA's core commitments. Lasting Contributions: 1. Embedded Care Model: STRIDE established the Aurora Regional Navigation Center (ARNC) clinic, embedding medical care directly within a navigation center. This low-barrier model eliminates traditional access barriers, reaching patients where they already seek support. The clinic recorded 1,241 total visits in its first 6 months (December 2025–June 2026), including 698 provider visits (56.2%) and 543 non-provider visits (43.8%), demonstrating heavy reliance on triage, navigation, and supportive services. 2. Serving the Most Vulnerable: Intake data reveal profound client complexity: 70.1% are unsheltered (street/encampment), 78.2% have no primary care access, and 60.3% rely on Health First Colorado. Chronic disease burden is overwhelming: 89.6% have depression, 84.9% anxiety, 83.7% PTSD, 83.0% chronic pain, and 79.3% substance use disorder. The team serves populations systematically excluded from traditional healthcare. 3. Emergency System Diversion: The clinic functioned as both care access point AND emergency diversion strategy. Before implementation, ARNC averaged 15–16 911 calls/day; after implementation, this declined to 5–6 calls/day—a reduction of 9–11 daily calls (3,285–4,015 fewer annually). Among 67 matched patients, emergency department visits declined 48.0% (206 to 107 visits in 6-month periods). 4. Measurable Cost Avoidance.
Public Health Emerging Leader Award
The Public Health Emerging Leader Award is presented to an individual with 5 years or less experience working and/or in school for a public health profession. This individual has demonstrated outstanding initiative and leadership ability in the public health community.
Winner: Erin Freeman, MPH
Throughout her early career, Erin has focused on strengthening public health by investing in the people who will shape its future. Her work has centered on creating opportunities for emerging public health professionals to connect, develop as leaders, and become active members of Colorado’s public health community.
As Chair of the Colorado Public Health Association’s Emerging Leaders Committee, Erin has helped build a community where students and early-career professionals can develop relationships, gain leadership experience, and confidently find their place in the profession. Through networking events, professional development opportunities, and increased engagement within CPHA, the committee has created meaningful opportunities for emerging
professionals to build confidence, expand their networks, and see themselves as future leaders in public health.
As Associate Editor-in-Chief of RISE, CPHA’s publication, Erin has also helped amplify the voices and experiences of public health professionals across Colorado. By highlighting stories of innovation, collaboration, and community impact, RISE strengthens connections across the field and celebrates the work taking place throughout the state.
Erin has also helped lead planning for CPHA’s Health Advocacy and Policy Summit, bringing together students, emerging professionals, and public health leaders to learn about advocacy, connect with legislators, and develop the skills needed to engage in the policy process. These experiences have provided emerging professionals with opportunities to understand their role in shaping the policies and systems that influence public health.
Across these roles, Erin’s focus has remained consistent: creating pathways for emerging professionals to connect, contribute, and grow as leaders. Through this work, she is helping build a stronger and more connected public health workforce in Colorado—one in which emerging professionals feel supported, engaged, and prepared to lead lasting change.
Lifetime Distinguished Public Health Service Award
The Lifetime Distinguished Public Health Service Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional public health leadership, made significant and lasting contributions to public health, and has taken an essential role in mentoring other public health professionals throughout their career (currently working or retired).
This Award was inspired by the following retired CPHA Awards:
-The Roy Cleere Distinguished Service Award (est. 1974) who was the director of the Colorado Department of Health for 38 years.
-The Sabin Award (est. 1947) given for achievement in the public health field, in recognition of the outstanding leadership of Dr. Florence Sabin in the promotion of better public health in Colorado.
-The John Muth Award, named in honor of Dr. Muth, who served as CPHA President 1983-1984 and El Paso County Department of Health Director as an award is given to a member of CPHA who has made an outstanding contribution to the Association.
Winner: Ofelia Mares De Orozco, CNA, RN, MA
For more than 23 years, Ofelia has been a compassionate and trusted force in public health in Weld County. Her retirement in June 2026 marked the close of a career defined by service, advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to improving community health. Her impact on the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE) and the community she served will continue for years to come.
Long before the term “Community Health Worker” was widely recognized, Ofelia was doing the work—building relationships, earning trust, and creating meaningful connections between WCDPHE and the Hispanic/Latino community, which represents nearly one-third of Weld County. Through her lived experience, cultural understanding, and compassion, she became a trusted face of public health for countless families.
Throughout her career, Ofelia contributed to an extraordinary range of programs. She began by providing Spanish-language breast cancer education through the Women’s Wellness Connection and went on to champion access to breast and ovarian cancer screenings,
supporting Hispanic women before, during, and after her own breast cancer journey. She also served as a breastfeeding advocate, walking group leader, certified tobacco cessation coach, and facilitator of countless pláticas. In recent years, she became a beloved educator for Cooking Matters and the Heart of Weld Diabetes Prevention Program, making these programs accessible and meaningful to Spanish-speaking residents.
Ofelia’s dedication extended far beyond her job description. She provided transportation to medical appointments, delivered groceries, answered calls after hours, and worked weekends when needed. Within WCDPHE, she mentored colleagues, shared her knowledge and experience, and helped strengthen the Community Health Worker workforce.
Ofelia’s legacy is one of dedication, connection, cultural bridging, and heart. Her passion for health education and helping others, combined with her lifelong commitment to the people of Weld County, has left a lasting impact on both her community and the public health professionals she inspired.
Values in Action Award
The Award for Values in Action recognizes an individual or organization whose work exemplifies CPHA’s core values: Advocacy, Connectedness, Health Equity, Racial Justice, and Service. This work is focused on serving marginalized people, such as, but not limited to, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.
Winner: Efren Garcia, MPH
Efren exemplifies what it means to be a public health leader driven by purpose, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to health equity. His dedication extends beyond CPHA and the Policy Committee to improving the health of Colorado communities and advancing a more just society. As a member of CPHA's Policy Leadership Team and Board, Efren leads with heart, integrity, and humility. His passion for public health inspires colleagues to think boldly, collaborate intentionally, and stay grounded in the communities we serve. He approaches every conversation with kindness, respect, and curiosity, creating space for diverse perspectives while advancing meaningful policy. Efren understands that health is shaped by where people live, work, and thrive. His advocacy in public health focuses on housing, transportation, climate, and the built environment, recognizing that lasting health improvements require addressing the root causes of inequity. Through his work in academia, nonprofits, and local government, he has championed public health
policies that advance racial justice and expand opportunities for immigrant and historically underrepresented communities. Efren embodies CPHA's mission by turning passion into action. Whether shaping policy, mentoring future public health leaders, or forging partnerships, he demonstrates that public health is strongest when guided by equity and inclusion. His leadership strengthens Colorado's public health movement, making him an outstanding recipient of this award.
Award for Excellence in Community Partnership
(for a non-public health individual or entity)
The Award for Excellence in Community Partnership is given to a non-public health individual or entity that has provided outstanding contributions that improve the heath of the community through public health partnerships and/or collaboration.
This award commemorates Dr. Florence Sabin, a Colorado native, who helped pave the way for women in science and was an outstanding leader in the promotion of public health in Colorado.
Winner: Carol Rykiel, BSRDH, MS
Carol Rykiel, RDH is the Hygiene Manager of Integrated Suites at Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and has been in this position for eleven years. Carol is unwavering in her mission to assist the underserved and it is seen not only in her care for persons experiencing homelessness but also in how she addresses barriers to whole populations receiving the services they need. Recently, while seeing patients at the Stout Street Recuperative Care Center, she realized the unmet need experienced by this population. She developed a system in which hygienists evaluate each resident at the Respite Center and provide oral health instructions and preventive services, including images. The patient is referred for evaluation with a dentist if needed and care is rendered at the Dental Clinic in the building next door She also developed training for the staff at the Respite Center to care for oral needs. The reduction of the
oral bacterial load in a respite patient decreases incidence of pneumonia in this population. She developed a presentation on this workflow and presented it at the 2026 Healthcare for the Homeless Conference. One of our patients could not receive the services he needed at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Dental Clinic, so she took time to drive him to the Colorado Mission of Mercy. I have had the pleasure of working alongside Carol for eleven years and she is an outstanding member of our team. She stands out as a person who truly understands the problems of vulnerable populations and works to solve the problems from a macro perspective.
Lillian Wald Award:
Lillian D. Wald (1867–1940) was a nurse, social worker, public health official, teacher, author, editor, publisher, women’s rights activist, and the founder of American community nursing. Her unselfish devotion to humanity is recognized around the world and her visionary programs have been widely copied everywhere.
The Lillian Wald Award is given to a public health nurse who demonstrates leadership skills among peers and community; has practiced a minimum of 5 years; and is creative, resourceful and innovative in addressing public health concerns in the community. This person is caring in relationships with colleagues and clients, and initiates, implements and evaluates public health interventions that focus on health promotion and disease prevention, and shares public health knowledge with colleagues and the community.
Winner: Annette Odell, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Annette Odell, NP, has served the residents of Weld County for more than two decades with dedication, clinical expertise, and a commitment to public health. As the STI and Family Planning Program Coordinator, Annette is widely regarded as a trusted leader in sexually transmitted infection prevention and treatment. Colleagues across local health departments, primary care networks, and clinics routinely seek her guidance when navigating complex cases. Annette's dedication to public health outcomes has been particularly evident with Colorado's rising syphilis epidemic. When rates began climbing in Weld County, Annette engaged prenatal providers, emergency departments, and community clinicians, stressing the necessity of routine testing for all patients regardless of perceived risk. She streamlined referral pathways that allowed providers to directly connect patients with the health department for timely treatment, ensuring access even during medication shortages. Recognizing
that local efforts alone could not fully address statewide challenges, Annette partnered with the CDPHE to pilot a Field Delivered Therapy (FDT) program. Serving Weld County and five neighboring counties, this innovative approach empowers nurses to bring syphilis treatment directly to clients and their partners in their homes. By removing barriers, the program helps prevent reinfection and spread, thus reducing congenital syphilis and protecting community health. Annette is known for her compassion and commitment to public health. She serves the most vulnerable residents with kindness and professionalism. Our success and the improved health outcomes of our community are directly related to Annette's expertise and dedication to public service.
Exemplary Frontier Public Health Nurse Award:
Recognized a Public Health Nurse who has demonstrated exemplary service in a local public health agency located in a Colorado rural/frontier community.
Winners: Shonna Gray, RN and Amelia Meyer, RN
Some public health partnerships simply work and Shonna and Amelia are one of those rare teams. Working together in a frontier community, they have built a culture of collaboration, trust, and continuous quality improvement that has transformed how public health and reproductive health services are delivered in Gunnison County. Rather than working in silos, they constantly ask, "How can we do this better?" They intentionally streamline workflows, eliminate duplication, and look for practical, lean solutions that make the most of limited rural resources. In less than a year, they completed Colorado's RN Nexplanon pilot, expanding RN-led contraceptive access and helping demonstrate how nurses can safely and effectively increase access to contraception in rural communities. They also designed and launched Reproductive Health Kits, distributing them through community events, Western Colorado University outreach, counseling offices, and other trusted community spaces to connect residents with reproductive health resources in new ways. Their monthly outreach efforts continue to expand access to populations that have historically been harder to reach. Behind the scenes, they undertook the enormous task of rewriting their clinic's policies using an evidence-based framework, creating a modern, standardized foundation for high-quality, person-centered care. Their greatest contribution is not a single project, but the way they lead together. They have shown that innovation in frontier public health does not require large teams or large budgets. It requires trusted partnerships, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to improving care for their community. Their work will continue to influence public health nursing practice in CO.