LEONARDTOWN, MD (February 10, 2026) – The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) is pleased to announce that the St. Mary’s County Health Hub has received two prestigious statewide honors: the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) 2025 County Innovation Award and the Maryland Public Health Association (MdPHA) 2025 Outstanding Public Health Program Award. These recognitions follow the Health Hub’s designation as a National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Model Practice in 2024.

The MACo County Innovation Award recognizes exceptional county programs that address local needs, strengthen service delivery, and improve residents’ quality of life while demonstrating innovation and effectiveness in local governance. MACo is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that represents Maryland’s counties and advances the interests of local government before the Maryland General Assembly.

MdPHA, the state affiliate of the American Public Health Association, is Maryland’s leading professional organization for public health practitioners and advocates. Its Outstanding Public Health Program Award honors programs that demonstrate high-quality service, innovation, and measurable impact in improving access to services and supporting healthier communities across the state.

“These recognitions reflect the dedication of our health department staff and community partners to building services that are innovative, effective, and responsive to the needs of St. Mary’s County residents,” said Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary’s County Health Officer. “We appreciate MACo and MdPHA for recognizing the Health Hub as a strong example of collaboration between local community partners to expand access to services and better support residents.”

To learn more about the St. Mary’s County Health Hub, its programs, and services, visit hub.smchd.org

# # #