Two initiatives by the St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) have been recognized for their innovation and effectiveness at the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) annual conference held in Detroit, Michigan, on July 25, 2024. NACCHO, which represents over 3,000 local health departments nationwide, awarded the St. Mary’s County Health Hub and a prenatal care program for their significant contributions to local public health.
The Health Hub, led by SMCHD’s Behavioral Health Division and supported by various community partners, was designated as a Model Practice. Since its inception in late 2022, the Health Hub has served over 2,400 individuals, offering services that range from primary care to behavioral health and addressing broader wellness and social needs.
The SMCHD’s Maternal, Child, and Elder Health Unit also received recognition for its Prenatal Care Program as a Promising Practice. This program, part of the Health Promotion and Community Services Division, focuses on enhancing prenatal care access through initiatives such as Improved Pregnancy Outcomes and Thrive by Three. These efforts have notably improved prenatal care accessibility for uninsured, underinsured, or newly arrived immigrant pregnant women.
Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary’s County Health Officer, expressed gratitude for the recognition: “Our health department team members and organizational partners have worked so hard to make the Health Hub and our prenatal care programs match the needs of our community members. It’s wonderful to see this dedicated public service recognized through the NACCHO Model Practice and Promising Practice awards. We are so thankful that NACCHO will share these example programs with other local health departments so that work like this can support individuals and families across the country.”
NACCHO’s recognition extends beyond just awarding titles. Programs selected as Model or Promising Practices are included in a national database, serving as exemplars that other local health departments can replicate. This peer-reviewed selection process ensures that the most effective and innovative programs are highlighted and shared nationwide.
Lori Tremmel Freeman, CEO of NACCHO, commented on the importance of these awards: “Each year, we are thrilled to recognize the incredible work of local health departments through our Model and Promising Practice Awards. This year’s awardees have demonstrated exceptional service in developing programs to address substance use, health inequities, infant and child health, health literacy, immunization, foodborne illnesses, hepatitis, and other pressing health challenges in their regions. This recognition is sure to inspire continued excellence and progress in public health practices across the country.”
Through these awards, NACCHO aims to foster a collaborative environment among public health institutions, encouraging the sharing of best practices and innovative solutions to common public health challenges.
