ADPH Awards 2023: Winners announced
Our members are responsible for the health and wellbeing of the residents in their local areas in all four nations of the UK. Many of them also give their free time to contribute to the work of the Association, which represents the voice of DsPH at a national level and so it is important that we recognise their outstanding contributions.
Nicola Close
ADPH Chief Executive
Yesterday, Directors of Public Health and their teams from across the UK were awarded for their work at the second annual Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) Awards.
The ceremony was held at the Association’s Annual Conference in London, where over 70 Directors of Public Health (DsPH) came together to discuss how to mitigate the impact on public health of the cost-of-living crisis and climate change.
DsPH are nominated by their peers and colleagues for the awards, introduced in 2022 to mark the 175th anniversary of the first ever public health official.
Nicola Close, who as ADPH’s Chief Executive hosted the ceremony, said:
“Our members are responsible for the health and wellbeing of the residents in their local areas in all four nations of the UK. Many of them also give their free time to contribute to the work of the Association, which represents the voice of DsPH at a national level and so it is important that we recognise their outstanding contributions.”
As well as being attended by members and sponsors, the CMOs’ National Impact Award, which is judged by the Chief Medical Officers for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, was presented in person by Sir Frank Atherton, CMO Wales, Professor Sir Gregor Smith, CMO Scotland, and Professor Chris Whitty, CMO England.
The three CMOs also hosted a special Q&A session with ADPH members after the ceremony.
Ms Close, who has led the Association since 2007, added:
“Choosing a winner for each category was very hard as there are so many examples of our members going above and beyond to create an environment where local communities are able to live long, healthy lives.”
During the ceremony, honorary ADPH membership was also bestowed on former ADPH President Professor Jim McManus and Dr Dagmar Zeuner, who retired earlier this year after over 15 years as a DPH.