Innovation at the local level is earning national recognition, with St. Mary’s County Local Health Department receiving two awards for programs that improve community health and workplace safety.
The St. Mary’s County Health Department has received two 2026 Promising Practice Awards from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), recognizing innovative local programs that improve public health and can serve as models for communities nationwide.
The awards highlight two initiatives:
- Implementation of Public Health Laboratories: the local health department was recognized for implementing public health laboratories at its Leonardtown Health Clinic, Lexington Park Health Hub, and school-based health centers at Margaret Brent and Spring Ridge Middle Schools. The initiative improves access to rapid diagnostic testing, strengthens outbreak response, and brings trusted public health services closer to residents.
- OSHA Compliance & Safety Committee: St. Mary’s local health department’s OSHA Compliance & Safety Committee earned recognition for fostering a strong workplace safety culture through staff training, continuous improvement, and organizational learning, benefiting employees, visitors, and community partners alike.
NACCHO’s Promising Practice Awards recognize innovative, peer-reviewed programs that demonstrate effective approaches to public health. Award-winning practices are added to NACCHO’s national database, allowing local health departments across the country to learn from and replicate successful initiatives.
From the press release:
These recognitions reflect the dedication of our team members who saw opportunities for improvement, worked together to develop practical solutions, and turned great ideas into action, said Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary’s County Health Officer.
The awards add to St. Mary’s history of national recognition for innovative public health programming and reinforce the important role local health departments play in advancing community health through creative and locally driven solutions.
