AMCHP recognizes leadership in maternal and child health in several ways, including annual awards presented to MCH leaders honoring excellence in the field. These awards are presented at AMCHP's Annual Conference, an annual celebration of maternal and child health programs nationwide. See award descriptions below.
See the 2018 winners here.
JOHN C. MACQUEEN LECTURE AWARD
For innovation in the field of maternal and child health.
The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs established an annual lectureship to honor one of its most distinguished members, Dr. John C. MacQueen. As an administrator and clinician, an advocate, innovator, and educator, Dr. MacQueen made his presence felt throughout the country through his tireless work on behalf of children with special health care needs. AMCHP takes special pride in those accomplishments that have advanced family health programs. They include 30 years as a CSHCN state director; leadership as vice-chair of the Congressional Select Panel for the Promotion of Child Health; membership on the Advisory Panel on Technology and Child Health, Congressional Office of Technology Assessment; contributions to the Maternal and Child Health Bureau and to the Surgeon's General workshops; and advocacy for Title V.
For a full description of the award, award criteria and prior awardees, click here and to download the award nomination form, click here.
EXCELLENCE IN STATE MCH LEADERSHIP AWARD
For an outstanding state MCH professional whose career has made significant contributions to the health of women, children, and families in their state.
This award recognizes an outstanding state MCH professional whose career in MCH has made significant contributions to their state's MCH program, state maternal and child health outcomes and made other significant contributions to promoting and protecting the health of women, children, and families in their state. The awardee is an effective MCH leader, exhibiting competency in many if not all of the MCH Leadership Competencies.
For a full description of the award, award criteria and prior awardees click here and to download the award nomination form, click here.
LEGISLATIVE CHAMPIONS FOR MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH AWARD
Recognizing the efforts of Members of Congress and their staff to improve the health of mothers, children, and families including children and youth with special health care needs.
The goal of this award is to recognize and celebrate the efforts of Members of Congress and their staff to improve the lives and health of mothers, children, and families, including those with special health care needs. The Legislative Champions Award is given to a Member of Congress and/or their professional staff to recognize efforts to support state maternal and child health programs and advocacy on behalf of children, women, and families at the national level. The award is administered by the AMCHP Legislative and Health Care Finance Committee and was awarded for the first time in 2009.
ONLY members of the Legislative Committee may submit nominations for this award. Please contact our Policy Team for more information.
MERLE MCPHERSON FAMILY LEADERSHIP AWARD
For exemplary contributions to further family/professional collaboration within the state Title V program and AMCHP
Presented for the first time in 2008, this award is developed to honor Dr. Merle McPherson. Dr. McPherson retired from MCHB in January 2007. She has left a legacy of leadership and vision for how to create a new model of family-centered health care delivery for children and youth with special health care needs. She has also led the way to expand the family-centered care model for children with special health care needs internationally. Dr. McPherson received her medical degree from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada and a master's degree in public health from Johns Hopkins University. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Preventive Medicine, an honorary fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and served as director of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau's Division of Services for Children with Special Health Needs from 1987-2006. A subcommittee made up of two representatives from the Board of Directors and two representatives from the FYLC will review the nominations and make recommendations to the AMCHP president for approval. This award is not routinely awarded annually.
For a full description of the award, award criteria and prior awardees click here and to download the award nomination form, click here.
RYAN COLBURN SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Ryan Colburn was an amazing young man with varied interests ranging from singing in a choir to sports (he was an avid Auburn and Atlanta Braves fan and played the outfield in Miracle League Baseball). He touched the hearts and lives of all he came in contact with his contagious personality and unforgettable smile. Ryan also carried a strong message to the disability community imploring others with disabilities to live life to the fullest. In honor of his life and his affirming message to the disability community, family leader, advocate and AMCHP member Susan Colburn, in partnership with AMCHP, established the Ryan Colburn Award in 2011.
The Ryan Colburn Scholarship Award was created to keep alive the work that Ryan Colburn had started in the recent years before his passing, speaking at local and national conferences about growing up with a disability and the spreading the message of the importance of living life to the fullest. The Award provides support for a youth-with-disabilities leader to attend the AMCHP Annual Conference, connect with family leaders and continue to spread Ryan’s message of hope.
For a full description of the award, award criteria and prior awardees click here and to download the award nomination form, click here.
VINCE HUTCHINS LEADERSHIP AWARD
For leadership in promoting a society responsive to the needs of women, children, youth and families.
In 1998, AMCHP launched what was then called the "AMCHP Leadership Award" to recognize outstanding individuals, living or deceased, whose work has contributed to significant societal changes that have resulted in improvements in the health of American families and their various members. The first honoree, former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, is exemplary of the stature of Leadership Award recipients. In 2001, AMCHP renamed the Leadership Award for Dr. Vince Hutchins, a beloved national leader and life-long advocate for children's health. During fifteen years as director of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Dr. Hutchins expanded the federal government's commitment to women, children, youth, and families. He also led the development of new initiatives for children and families such as the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. The award is not routinely awarded annually.
For a full description of the award, award criteria and prior awardees click here and to download the award nomination form, click here.
EMERGING MCH PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
Nominations are still open for HHS Regions I, III, V, VIII, and IX. Up to 10 awards, a maximum of one from each HHS Region, will be conferred. The recipients will be recognized at AMCHP’s Annual Conference in Arlington, Va., to be held Feb. 10-13, 2018.
The Emerging MCH Professional awards recognize outstanding state or local MCH professionals under age 45 whose work has made substantial contributions to their state’s MCH program, their state’s maternal and child health outcomes or made other significant contributions to promoting and protecting the health of women, children, and families in their state. It recognizes an individual’s capacity to perform above and beyond expectations, using creativity and innovation to address pressing MCH challenges and their emerging and future leadership potential.
For a full description of the award, award criteria and prior awardees click here and to download the award nomination form, click here.