Awards Received

Recognition and honors for the Northern Kentucky Health Department programs and employees

The Northern Kentucky Health Department has received many prestigious awards and honors over the years for its programs, outreach and exemplary individuals, who help lead the charge toward greater public health in Northern Kentucky.

2008-- Monica Smith, R.D., L.D., Community Dietitian, was selected as Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year by the American Dietetic Association. The award is given annually through each state affiliate association in recognition of significant contributions to the profession and association. Smith was recognized for her participation in the Greater Cincinnati Dietetic Association for recruitment of new members and working to improve communication within the local association. She was also awarded for her efforts to promote nutrition in the Northern Kentucky community, including her work to promote childhood obesity prevention through programs such as Just for Kids and the Kids Fruit and Vegetable Challenge. She was recognized as well for her efforts to improve children’s nutrition and physical activity in the school environment as co-chair of the Northern Kentucky region of Action for Healthy Kids, a national coalition that addresses the epidemic of overweight, undernourished and sedentary youth by focusing on changes at school.    

2006--Karen Domaschko, Human Resources Administrator, and Barbara Laing, HIV/AIDS Case Manager, received Regional Diversity Outreach Awards from the Bowles Center for Diversity Outreach. Domaschko was honored for her work with PACE (Preparing Adults for Competitive Employment) program which offers practical work experience to individuals who have disabilities but wish to return to the workplace or establish a new career. Laing was recognized by the Bowles Center for promoting and demonstrating outstanding commitment to diversity in health education and service in Northern Kentucky.

2004--Stephanie Vogel, Health Education Manager, was honored with NorthKey Community Care's Community Partner award. Vogel was recognized for her work with NorthKey's Worksite Wellness Committee to implement programs and initiatives that promote the health of their employees, and for her work on tobacco prevention and policy in the community.

2004--Darlene Lageman, R.N., C.D.E., Public Health Nurse, was chosen “Health Professional of the Year” by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) of the Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky area. She was honored for her continued support toward the conquest of diabetes through support groups for adults and children. 

2003 - Jennifer Hunter R.N., B.S.N., Clinical Quality Assurance Manager, was a member of the team chosen as a runner-up for the National Public Health Leadership Institute/American Public Health Association Balderson Leadership Award. The Balderson award is one of the highest honors given in public health. Hunter’s group presentation, “Public Health Nursing Competencies,” was selected as the best of the nine presentations at the Kentucky Public Health Leadership Institute on April 28, 2003.  The leadership institute program provides yearlong training for 40 people from all over Kentucky, who have been nominated by their peers.

2001 – The Health Department was chosen as one of nine health departments in the nation to serve as a demonstration site for the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP). MAPP is a strategic planning tool developed by the National Association of County and City Health Officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which engages the community in the development of a plan for a strengthened local public health system.

2001 – Darlene Lageman, R.N., C.D.E., Public Health Nurse, was chosen “Health Professional of the Year” by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) of the Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky area. She was honored for her continued support toward the conquest of diabetes through support groups for adults and children. 

2001 - Peggy Patterson, M.Ed., R.D., Public Information Manager, was honored with a “2001 Bronze Quill Award of Excellence” from the Greater Cincinnati International Association of Business Communicators for her January 27, 2001 health article published by the Community Recorder Newspapers. The column was titled, “Focus on Health: Happy, Positive People Do Live Longer.” 

1999 – The “Lighthouse Vision Award” was presented to the Health Department for the Troubadours Educational Teen Theatre Troupe by Lighthouse Youth Services for exceptional community service.

1999 – The “Sara C. Stice Award” from the Kentucky Public Health Association was awarded to Kathy Gavin, Director of Health Education and Planning, for outstanding contributions to the field of Health Education.

1998 – Bert Turner, Food Safety Manager, received the Sanitarian of the Year award from the Kentucky Public Health Association in recognition of his many years of exemplary service.

1998 – The Health Department received recognition for the third time from the American Diabetes Association for a quality diabetes education program that adheres to the ADA guidelines. 

1998 - The “Past President’s Award” was created and awarded to Kathy Gavin, Director of Health Education and Planning, by the Kentucky Association for School Health for outstanding professional contributions and leadership to an organization. 

1997 - The Health Department was chosen by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) as one of 10 local health departments in the nation to pilot the Protocol for Assessing Community Excellence in Environmental Health (PACE-EH). We were chosen by NACCHO “for demonstrated leadership with the implementation of planning and assessment tools and our close association with community stakeholders.”

1995 – The Kentucky Association for School Health recognized the Northern Kentucky Comprehensive School Health Team, a program sponsored and staffed by the Health Department, with its "Group Award" for outstanding professional contributions through the “Reach for Excellence in School Health” Coalition.

1994 – The “Intergenerational Health Promotion Program” received a letter of recognition for Community Health Promotion from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for an exemplary program.

1993 - The Kentucky Association of Government Communicators awarded the Health Department 2nd place in its "Blue Pencil Award" for Alert Northern Kentucky, a teen media campaign.

1994 – The "J. Howard Beard Award" from the National Association of County and City Health Officials, was presented to the Health Department for the Troubadours, an Educational Teen Theatre Troupe, for recognition of the program’s originality and success. As a result, an article about the Troubadours was submitted by the Health Department and published in the American Journal of Public Health, entitled “The Troubadours: Singing Their Stories of Love and Health.” 

1990 – The Health Department received a letter of recognition for "Community Health Promotion" from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for its AIDS Prevention Education and Policy Development Program.

1990 - The Troubadours Educational Teen Theatre Troupe received an “Outstanding Community Health Promotion Program” award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

1988 – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded the Health Department with a letter of recognition for the community health promotion program entitled “Day Care Health Promotion/ Education.”

1986 – The Health Department received the “Secretary’s Award for Excellence” from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for S.E.L.F. – A Model Worksite Health Promotion Program.