The St. Mary’s County Health Hub, an innovative initiative led by the St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD), has earned two major statewide awards in 2025 for its effective approach to expanding community health services. The announcements came in a February 10, 2026, press release from SMCHD, highlighting recognition from the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) and the Maryland Public Health Association (MdPHA).
The Health Hub received the MACo 2025 County Innovation Award, which spotlights county programs that tackle local challenges, enhance service delivery, boost resident quality of life, and show strong innovation in governance. MACo, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group representing Maryland’s counties, promotes local government priorities at the state level. This award was presented during MACo’s 2025 Winter Conference in Cambridge, Maryland, in December 2025, where St. Mary’s County leaders accepted honors for outstanding contributions.
Separately, the MdPHA named the Health Hub the recipient of its 2025 Outstanding Public Health Program Award. MdPHA, Maryland’s affiliate of the American Public Health Association, serves as the primary professional network for public health workers and advocates in the state. This award goes to programs excelling in service quality, creative solutions, and proven results in broadening access to care while fostering healthier communities statewide.
These 2025 honors build on the Health Hub’s earlier national acclaim as a 2024 Model Practice by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), underscoring its growing reputation as a collaborative model for integrated health services.
Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary’s County Health Officer, credited the achievements to teamwork. “These recognitions reflect the dedication of our health department staff and community partners to building services that are innovative, effective, and responsive to the needs of St. Mary’s County residents,” she said. “We appreciate MACo and MdPHA for recognizing the Health Hub as a strong example of collaboration between local community partners to expand access to services and better support residents.”
The Health Hub operates as a centralized resource in Leonardtown, bringing together behavioral health support, crisis intervention, primary care, and other essential services through partnerships with local organizations. It addresses gaps in access for residents by offering coordinated, one-stop care that reduces barriers and improves outcomes in Southern Maryland’s rural setting.
For more details on the St. Mary’s County Health Hub, including its full range of programs and services, residents can visit hub.smchd.org.
The awards arrive at a time when public health efforts in St. Mary’s County continue to gain attention, following prior national recognition and ongoing community-focused expansions. The Health Hub’s success demonstrates how targeted local innovation can deliver measurable benefits, setting an example for other Maryland counties aiming to strengthen health infrastructure amid evolving resident needs.