Health Department celebrates Public Health Week by honoring local public health heroes

April 8, 2025
Health

Building healthier communities requires the dedication of community members committed to improving the well-being of our city.

To recognize those contributions, the Minneapolis Health Department held its annual Local Public Health Heroes award ceremony and resource fair, a tradition for the department since 2011. This year’s theme is Building Bridges to Create Healthier Communities.

“From reducing opioid-related deaths to feeding the community, every single day Minneapolis residents are working to improve the health and well-being of their neighbors,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “Our Public Health Heroes are making a difference in the community, and their work inspires us and strengthens our commitment toward building a healthier future. We are extremely grateful for the contributions of this year’s recipients, and we are proud to recognize their selfless accomplishments.”

Recognizing local public health heroes

The awards and ceremony are one way the department recognizes the vital role community members play in building healthier communities and supporting the department’s vision. Healthy lives, health equity, and healthy environments are the foundations of a vibrant Minneapolis now and into the future.

"We are all committed to building healthier communities in our city,” said Commissioner Damōn Chaplin, Minneapolis Health Department. “The Health Department cannot thrive without its community partners and individuals who play crucial roles in transforming lives. Congratulations to this year's Public Health Heroes. Minneapolis is grateful for the work you do.”

2025 award recipients and categories

The committee selects recipients based on the excellence and impact of their work that aligns with one or more of the Health Department’s goal areas.

  • A Healthy Start to Life and Learning, Thriving Youth and Young Adults
    • Marcus Kar, Director of North Minneapolis Programs at Youth Farm
  • A Resilient Public Health Infrastructure
    • Matt Toburen, Executive Director at Aliveness Project
  • Health Equity
    • Sue Abderholden, Executive Director for NAMI Minnesota
  • Healthy Living and Healthy Food Systems
    • BrightSide Produce
  • Substance Use and Opioid Response
    • Avivo Street Outreach Team
  • Sustainability, Healthy Homes, and Environment
    • Nazir Khan, Executive Director of the Minnesota Environmental Justice Table
    • Colectiva Bilingüe, Minneapolis Bilingual Education Collective

Resource fair

The resource fair includes interactive booths with demonstrations to learn more about the services offered by the Health Department.

Booths include:

  • City Trees Program
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Environmental Health
  • Green Careers Exploration Program
  • Breastfeeding support
  • Lead and Healthy Homes
  • Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health
  • Opioid Response Team
  • School Based Clinics
  • Sustainability, Healthy Homes and Environment

Visit the Health Department’s website to discover more resources

 

 

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