We have some brilliant people in our Section, and it is important to us that we recognize them for their contributions to environmental health.
Environmental Health Career Award— This award recognizes an environmental health expert, usually of national renown, who has contributed significantly to the field. The award recipient will provide a special lecture at the APHA Annual Meeting.
Rebecca A. Head Award — This new award recognizes an outstanding emerging leader from the environmental health field working at the nexus of science, policy and environmental justice. The award honors Rebecca A. Head, PhD, DABT, an influential leader in the Environment Section and APHA, and indomitable voice for local public health, equity and justice.
Damu Smith Environmental Achievement Award — This award recognizes cross-cutting collaborative work that has enhanced or increased understanding of economic security, ecological conservation, culture or health.
Distinguished Service Award — This award recognizes a Section member who provides noteworthy and important contributions to the Section.
2024 Award Winners
Environmental Health Career Award:
Dr. Devon Payne-Sturges is an Associate Professor with the Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health at the University of Maryland, School of Public Health. She also holds a joint appointment in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Maryland, she served as Assistant Commissioner for Environmental Health with the Baltimore City Health Department then later as the Assistant Center Director for Human Health with U.S. EPA’s National Center for Environmental Research where she focused on biomonitoring for policy analysis, cumulative risk assessment, health impact assessment, environmental health indicator development, children’s environmental health and environmental health of minority populations.
Rebecca A. Head Award:
Rhea Goswami is the founder and current Executive Director of the Environmental Justice Coalition (EJC). In her role at EJC, she leads a team of young individuals to create intersectional environmental justice based solutions for disadvantaged communities. She also does outreach on behalf of EJC, creates and nurtures their partnerships and oversees the educational initiatives. Rhea is currently studying at Cornell University, where she hopes to use computers, artificial intelligence, and computer vision for societal good.
Damu Smith Environmental Achievement Award:
Cheryl Johnson serves as People for Community Recovery (PCR)’s Executive Director. She is the daughter of the late Mrs. Hazel Johnson, who founded PCR. Cheryl learned the fundamentals of community organizing from her mother and carries on the work of PCR’s mission to enhance the quality of life of residents living in communities affected by pollution. A lifelong resident of Altgeld Gardens, Cheryl is a well-known and highly trusted community leader. She serves on the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Environmental Justice Advisory Council and the Illinois Environmental Justice Commission. She is also a certified trainer International Chemical Workers Union Health and Safety Council/Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.
Distinguished Service Award:
Ursula Lauper is Chief of the Water Systems Control and Analysis section within the NYSDOH Bureau of Water Supply Protection. She oversees the implementation of 10 NYCRR Part 4, Protection Against Legionella and leads a variety of research and programmatic activities on Legionella and private wells. She has served as the APHA Environment Section’s Program Planning Co-Chair for 3 years.
Dr. Inyang Uwak is an environmental epidemiologist with experience in environmental health, human exposure assessment of air pollution, and community-based participatory research. As Research and Policy Director at Air Alliance Houston, she ensures that science-based, equity-centered data analysis forms the basis of advocacy efforts to advance environmental justice.She has served as the APHA Environment Section’s Program Planning Co-Chair for 3 years.
Recent Past Award Winners
Homer N. Calver Award:
2015: Jonathan Patz
2016: Lynn Goldman
2017: Gina McCarthy
2018: Wayne Casio
2019: Linda Rudolph
2020: Lisa Jackson
2021: Tracey Woodruff
2022: Jalonne White-Newsome
2023: Doug Farquhar
Rebecca A. Head Award:
2016: Mona Hanna-Attisha
2017: Natalie Sampson
2018: Vanessa Galaviz
2019: Yukyan Lam
2020: Ana Mascarenas
2021: Michele Okoh
2022: Julian Drix
2023: Natasha DeJarnett
Damu Smith Environmental Achievement Award:
2015: Sacoby Wilson
2016: Suzanne Condon
2017: Mildred McClain
2018: mark! Lopez
2019: Mustafa Santiago Ali
2020: Margaret Gordon
2021: Brenda & Omega Wilson
2022: María Belén Power
2023: Na’Taki Osborne Jelks
Distinguished Service Award:
2016: Kacee Deener
2017: Leyla McCurdy
2018: Megan Latshaw
2019: Aaron Guest
2020: Trish Koman
2021: Jyotsna Jagai
2022: Raquel Silva
2023: Theodora Tsongas