Dr. Devdutta Sangvai, Secretary | North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Dr. Devdutta Sangvai, Secretary | North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and former State Health Director Dr. Betsey Tilson were honored with the Ron H. Levine Public Health Award by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The award was presented at the annual North Carolina Public Health Leaders’ Conference on March 13.
The Ron Levine Legacy Award, named after former State Health Director Dr. Ron Levine, has been awarded since 2004 to individuals who have made significant improvements in public health systems or built lasting partnerships that enhance health outcomes for North Carolinians.
Dr. Kelly Kimple, Interim State Health Director and NCDHHS Chief Medical Officer, stated, "Former Governor Cooper and Dr. Tilson have made extraordinary contributions to public health, shaping policies and programs that will have a lasting impact on the well-being of all North Carolinians."
Governor Cooper's achievements include expanding Medicaid to cover over 640,000 residents and creating a medical debt relief program that alleviated nearly $4 billion in debt for low- and middle-income individuals. He also played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on data-driven measures and equitable vaccine distribution.
Additionally, he established the Office of Violence Prevention to address firearm violence as a public health issue and championed the Early Childhood Action Plan.
Dr. Betsey Tilson dedicated her career to improving public health systems in North Carolina. As State Health Director for seven years, she led initiatives like Medicaid Expansion and Healthy Opportunities Pilots aimed at addressing non-medical drivers of health such as housing and food security.
She was instrumental in launching NCCARE360, a coordinated care network connecting individuals to community resources. Dr. Tilson also worked to expand contraceptive services in pharmacies and improve syphilis testing coverage under Medicaid Expansion.
For more information about the Ron H. Levine Legacy Award, visit the NCDHHS Division of Public Health website.
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