IPHCA 2024 – Annual Awards

Provider of the Year Award
This award recognizes an outstanding provider who has demonstrated excellence in clinical leadership through: 
1) advocacy; 2) innovative programs/services that have increased access, improved health care services to the community, or decreased disparities; or 3) collaborative efforts to reach high-risk populations in the community. 

• A provider is defined as any provider who can directly bill hours for clinical services, including but not limited to MD, DDS, NP, PA, Dental Hygienist, Psychologist, MSW, CNW, and CNS. 

• The primary health care provider must have practiced at the health center for a minimum of three years.

Employee of the Year Award
This award recognizes a primary health employee
(non-practitioner) who has demonstrated excellence through:
1) patient advocacy; 2) innovative programs/services/systems;
or 3) collaborative efforts. 

• The primary health care employee must have worked for the health center for a minimum of two years.

Volunteer of the Year Award
This award recognizes a primary health volunteer who has demonstrated excellence through: 1) patient advocacy;  2) innovative programs/services/systems; or  3) collaborative efforts. 

• The primary health care volunteer must have volunteered for the health center for a minimum of two years.

Legislator of the Year Award
This award recognizes a state or national elected official who has championed access to health care and supported safety net infrastructure.

Special Exemplary Project Award (x2 )
This award honors a notable project by a member organization
that has demonstrated excellence through:  1) advocacy;
2) innovative programs/services/systems that have increased access, improved health care services to the community, or decreased disparities; or 3) collaborative efforts to reach high-risk populations in the community. 

• The project must have been in effect for a minimum of one year.

The Debra Meers Grassroots Advocacy Award
This award is given in honor of Debra Meers. 
Debbie was the office manager and Director of Membership at IPHCA until she passed away in 2005 from a long-term illness. Debbie is fondly remembered for her bright smile and her passion for grassroots advocacy.
The award honors a health center consumer, Board member, or a staff person of an IPHCA member organization who has been a strong voice for community health centers with the state and national legislature and within the local community.

Philip L. Morphew, Health Center Dedication
This award recognizes an individual who has championed the advancement of community health centers’ mission to deliver high quality, culturally competent, comprehensive primary care services regardless of patients’ ability to pay. They have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to supporting the growth of the community health center program through education, partnership, or service. 

• Recipients may include employees, community partners, consultants, contractors, or an individual demonstrating long term support of community health centers.