MN SOPHE 2026 Awards

Wellness Warrior Award: Individual who champions mental health, trauma-responsive, safety, and/or resiliency work.

Emergency Preparedness Powerhouse: Individual who has played a key role in strengthening emergency preparedness or public health emergency by helping to ensure the safety of their community through dedication to planning and response efforts.

Clarifying Catalyst Award: Individual who demystifies data reports to drive change.

Community Connection Award: Individual who demonstrates strong partnerships and reach aspects in health advocacy and/or disease prevention.

Teamwork Titan Award: Individual who excels at developing leadership, teamwork, and collaboration within their organization. This award may also be used to nominate coalitions making an impact in their communities.

The Green Guardian Award: Individual who demonstrates exceptional impact on environmental health initiatives. 

Student Recognition Award: College student who has demonstrated exceptional individual and professional growth, demonstrated inclusion of various cultures and values in their studies, and contributed to the promotion of health in their community. Nominees are not required to be MN SOPHE members.

The Heart of Gold Award: Caregivers or nurses demonstrating exceptional empathy and human connection within the community and healthcare setting.

The Dose of Prevention Award: Individual who demonstrates outstanding efforts in curbing substance misuse.

The Public Health Reformer Award: Individual demonstrating the work of changing systems, whether through legislative reform or behind-the-scenes effort.

MN SOPHE Scholarship Award: This newly established award provides financial support for one MN SOPHE member to attend a conference or training to health education in 2026 or 2027. Nominees are not required to be a MN SOPHE member.

Dr. Judith Luebke Health Educator of the Year Award: This award exists to recognize a public health educator who exemplifies MN SOPHE's mission to provider leadership to the profession of health education and promotion, and to promote our communities' health. Examples of nominees can be health professionals, elected officials, or any individuals who have demonstrated leadership to advance community health. Nominees are not required to be MN SOPHE members.