AMA honors North Carolina public health official with Government Service Award

 

The American Medical Association (AMA) presented Cumberland County (N.C.) Public Health Director Jennifer Green, PhD, MPH., with the AMA Award for Outstanding Government Service. Having served in her current role since 2019, Green has overseen the delivery and promotion of public health services, strategies, and initiatives in Cumberland County. She played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic, mobilizing the community, distributing resources, and setting up drive-thru vaccine clinics that prompted Gov. Roy Cooper to praise the County’s response as a shining example of high-quality local government.

The award was presented during the AMA’s annual National Advocacy Conference (NAC) in Washington, DC.

Dr. Green was presented the award by AMA board chair, Dr. Michael Suk and keynote speaker, Kelly O’Donnell, NBC’s White House correspondent

“Across the country, local public health officials played a critical role in combatting COVID-19, educating local communities, and saving lives. Jennifer Green epitomizes that commitment and leadership,” said AMA Board Chair Michael Suk, M.D., JD, MPH, MBA. “For her dedication to improving the lives of people – both during and well beyond the COVID-19 pandemic – and for her creative approach to helping address public health challenges in Cumberland County, it is an honor to present Jennifer Green with the AMA Award for Outstanding Career Public Servant at the Local Level.”

“Dr. Green has provided exemplary care to our citizens with innovative programs and ideas,” said Cumberland County Commissioner Glenn Adams, who nominated her for the award. “She has had a tremendous impact on the lives of our citizens and the health of our county.”

North Carolina’s delegation to the AMA NAC joined in the recognition of Dr. Green

In addition to her vital work during the COVID-19 pandemic, Green opened a WIC clinic to expand the scope of services and promote healthy babies and mothers. She created Healthy Conversations, which promotes public health education by training barbers and stylists to be advocates who can influence positive health behaviors in under-resourced communities. She created the Maternal Health project to address the disparities of mothers of color in seeking pre- and post-natal health care. And she is leading efforts to combat the opioid epidemic in her community by working to establish a recovery resource center.