Health Department celebrates local public health heroes

Building healthier communities requires the dedication of people who are 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 April 29, a tradition since 2011.

This year's theme was: Supporting Community Resilience.

Recognizing local public health heroes

Strong partnerships and the dedication of our residents and community groups are at the heart of the Minneapolis Health Department's efforts to build a healthier community. Every day, individuals and organizations step up to support their neighbors, improve well-being, and create lasting change across our city. We are deeply grateful for our winners' commitment, collaboration, and the meaningful impact they make in the lives of others.

The awards and ceremony are one way the Health 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 thank this year's Public Health Heroes for the care and dedication they bring to our community every day," said Mayor Jacob Frey. "Public health extends beyond healthcare into social systems, environment, and community support networks. Because of their leadership to remove barriers and expand resources, more individuals and families across the city are able to live with dignity and opportunity in safer, healthier communities in Minneapolis."

"The City of Minneapolis depends on the dedication of our community partners and residents who make a real difference in people's lives every day," said Minneapolis Health Commissioner Damōn Chaplin. "Only by working together can we create healthier communities. Congratulations to this year's Public Health Heroes-your impact and commitment to our city is truly appreciated."

2026 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

This award recognizes outstanding efforts to strengthen systems of care, policies, and partnerships that support pregnant and parenting families, while also advancing positive early childhood development.

This year's winner is Birth Justice Collaborative.

• This organization helps pregnant families who face big challenges in having healthy births. To reduce disparities, they support mothers by providing continuous labor support and care after birth.

A Resilient Public Health Infrastructure

This award recognizes efforts to expand access to healthcare services, resources, and assistance for residents without insurance, while strengthening emergency preparedness across neighborhoods, communities, and businesses.

This year's winner is Portland House.

• An incarceration alternative and prison prevention program for men 18 and older. They work with people facing big challenges to help and support their health.

Health Equity

This award recognizes efforts that advance a holistic understanding of health while applying a strong health equity lens, building on the cultural diversity, strengths, and resilience of our urban community by connecting people and resources.

This year's winner is Miguel Fiol.

• Dr. Fiol is expanding access to health care through trust, cultural understanding, and staying involved with the community over time. He does this by meeting communities where they are physically, culturally, emotionally.

Healthy Living and Healthy Food Systems

This award recognizes efforts to advance policy changes that reduce risk factors and promote healthy lifestyles and community well-being through access to nutritious food, physical activity, tobacco-free living, and high-quality health care. At the same time, the organization also works to strengthen the community's capacity to grow, distribute, and sustain healthy, locally produced food systems.

This year's winners are Akhmiri Sekhr-Ra, Camila Valenzuela-Panza, and Sierra Leone' Williams.

• These women serve the Minneapolis Health Department as lactation specialists. They launched a training course called "Roots of Racial Inequities in Lactation" that focuses on health. This training supports women of color with breastfeeding and disparities education. Their goal is to improve health after birth.

Safe Places to Eat, Swim, and Stay

This award honors work that helps reduce the risk of disease and injury across a range of settings, including food establishments, lodging and accommodations, pools, body art, tanning, and laundry services.

This year's winner is Healthy Roots Institute.

• Healthy Roots Institute puts community voices at the center of its work. It has changed how Minneapolis supports its smallest food businesses. They help make sure small-scale vendors are given the tools and resources needed to run safely and legally.

Substance Use and Opioid Response

This award recognizes efforts that increase awareness of the dangers of opioids, reduces harm, and confronts stigmas in order to drive lasting change through immediate action, long-term strategies, and meaningful policy advancement.

This year's winner is Gaebriel Lyrek.

• Gaebriel Lyrek is a health specialist at NorthPoint Health and Wellness and a founding member of the North Minneapolis Harm Reduction Coalition. He has been at the forefront of harm reduction and worked with the City to prevent overdoses.

Sustainability, Healthy Homes and Environment

This award recognizes efforts to advance environmental health through community education, policy development, and practices that support a clean and healthy environment. It honors work that reduces environmental hazards and climate impacts-prioritizing environmental justice-while addressing lead exposure, asthma triggers, and home safety risks.

This year's winner is Sabathani Community Center.

• In addition to providing green workforce training programs, employees at Sabathani are installing new systems at the center to help during power outages and climate emergencies.