About the Texas Health Champion Award
The Texas Health Champion Award was presented to public health leaders who had demonstrated exemplary achievement in reducing the burden and/or raising awareness of the obesity epidemic in Texas. Nominees considered for the award were individuals, organizations, or project teams from community organizations, educational agencies, non-profit organizations, or government offices.
The Texas Health Champion Awards were presented at the Texas Health Champion Award Ceremony held during Texas Obesity Awareness Week in Austin. Due to organizational changes within our research center, we are currently re-evaluating the Texas Health Champion Awards. We hope to be able to include this program in future activities held at the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living in upcoming years.
More about the Texas Health Champion Award
Past awardees were selected by a committee of academic and professional peers based on: 1) The nominee’s effective inclusion of all essential populations, 2) The nominee’s effort toward sustainability, and 3) The nominee’s overall impact on the burden of obesity. Award recipients have mobilized community efforts to prevent and reduce obesity and have promoted physical activity and nutritional health through research, practice, policy development, social marketing, behavioral interventions or innovative partnerships.
Texas Health Champion Awardees:
Baker Harrell
IT'S TIME TEXAS
HealthStart Foundation, Inc.
Non-profit organization
Stephanie Kellam
UnitedHealthcare
Culinary Health Education for Families (CHEF)
Non-profit organization
2017 Champions:
Stephen J. Pont, MD, MPH FAAP
Department of State Health Services
Harris County Public Health
Texas public health office
2016 Champions:
Michelle Smith
State Coordinator, Texas Action for Healthy Kids
Brighter Bites
Texas-Based Nonprofit
2015 Champions:
Peter Cribb, M.Ed.
CATCH Program Director, CATCH Global Foundation
Tu Salud ¡Sí Cuenta!
Brownsville-based community collaborative
2014 Champions:
Alice Kirk, MPH
Child Health and Wellness Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Recipe for Success Foundation
Houston-based nonprofit
2013 Champions:
William G. (Bill) Squires, Jr. PhD, FACSM
Professor of Biology and Kinesiology, Texas Lutheran University
H-E-B
Texas-based grocery store
2012 Champion:
Kay Morris
Founder and Former Executive Director, Marathon Kids
2011 Champions:
Barbara Storz, MS
Extension educator for horticulture with Texas AgriLife Extension Service, part of Texas A&M University system
Sustainable Food Center
Non-profit organization
2010 Champion:
Dr. Richard Middleton
Former Superintendent of Schools, North East Independent School District
2009 Champions:
Partnership for a Healthy Texas
The Partnership was formed in 2006 with the mission of promoting obesity prevention and reduction policies in Texas.
Texas Health Institute
Texas Health Institute provides leadership in development of health care solutions to shape the Texas health care landscape.
2008 Champions:
The Honorable Robert Nichols
Texas Senate
The Honorable Patrick Rose
Texas House of Representatives
The Honorable Susan King
Texas House of Representatives
2008 Outstanding Leadership in Public Health Awards:
The Honorable Jane Nelson
Texas Senate
Kenneth Shine, MD
Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, The University of Texas System
