LEONARDTOWN, MD (August 11, 2026) – St. Mary’s County Health Officer Dr. Meena Brewster has received the 2026 National Champion of Local Governmental Public Health Award from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO).

NACCHO is the national organization representing the nation’s nearly 3,000 local health departments. The National Champion of Local Governmental Public Health Award is one of NACCHO’s highest individual honors, recognizing leaders who have advanced the visibility, importance, and impact of local governmental public health through leadership, innovation, and service.

“This recognition is truly a reflection of the extraordinary people I have the privilege of serving alongside every day,” said Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary’s County Health Officer. “I am deeply grateful to the dedicated team at the St. Mary’s County Health Department, our many community partners, and my colleagues across Maryland. Together, they show what is possible when people unite around a shared vision. Local public health changes lives every day. When we invest in people, build strong partnerships, and lead with purpose, communities thrive.”

The award recognizes Dr. Brewster’s leadership in St. Mary’s County and her broader contributions to strengthening local public health practice in Maryland and across the nation through collaboration, workforce development, and public health leadership.

Dr. Brewster received the award during NACCHO’s 2026 Annual Conference, where local public health leaders from across the country gathered to share innovative practices, strengthen the public health workforce, and discuss strategies to improve the health of communities nationwide.

“We are honored to present Meena Brewster with the National Champion of Local Governmental Public Health Award,” said Lori Tremmel Freeman, NACCHO’s Chief Executive Officer. “Her commitment to advancing public health priorities and amplifying the voice of local health departments serves as an example for public health leaders across the country. Whether it is Dr. Brewster’s ability to raise the relevance and impact of local public health within her community, the strength of her contributions to Maryland’s state public health transformation efforts, or the tremendous energy she brings to the NACCHO Board and leadership, her commitment to public health shined bright above all others this past year.”

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