MEDIA RELEASE: Tioga County Public Health Presents Public Health Excellence Awards to Community Partners

Last Updated: 4/9/2026

Tioga County Public Health Presents Public Health Excellence Awards to Community Partners

Tioga County Public Health is excited to announce the winners of the Tioga County Public Health Excellence Awards. In line with Public Health Week, Tioga County Public Health wanted to take the opportunity to recognize individuals, organizations, and community partners whose work supports the three “P’s” of public health: prevention, promotion, and protection.

Nominations for the excellence awards were submitted by Tioga County Public Health team members in the following categories:

• Public Health Champion Award. This award is presented to an individual, partner, or organization that exemplifies what partnership looks like by building bridges to bring together others on a common mission to support the community’s health. They provide leadership in health initiatives, commitment to preventative healthcare, community engagement & collaboration, advocacy, and outreach.
• Public Health Prevention Award. This award is presented to an individual, partner, or organization that has demonstrated a benefit to Tioga County or groups at higher risk by using innovations and creativity to prevent public health challenges. They effectively conduct outreach, education, and engage with the community.
• Public Health Promotion Award. This award is presented to an individual, partner, or organization that has been a cheerleader of public health through promotion and advocacy. They have led or participated in at least one successful initiative in the past year with the goal to improve the community’s health.
• Public Health Protection Award. This award is presented to an individual, partner, or organization that has successfully collaborated with Tioga County Public Health to improve community health through advocacy and enforcement. They enforce laws and regulations designed to protect the community and follow said laws and regulations to a “T”.

Each award was presented to the following individuals, community partners, or organizations:

• The Public Health Champion Award was presented to Tioga County Rural Ministry for their role in preventing hardship through food security programs, home repairs, accessibility ramps, and seasonal supports that reduce health risks for families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities.
• The Public Prevention Award was presented to Laura Bennett for transforming the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program through creative, proactive solutions. She provides hands‑on case management, secures grant funding for lead‑safe materials, creates a HEPA vacuum‑loan program, partners with a local hardware store for paint vouchers, and accompanies environmental health inspectors on home inspections to support and educate families.
• The Public Promotion Award was presented to Legislator William Standinger, who is a powerful advocate for public health. He ensures Tioga County Public Health is included in key conversations, encourages collaboration, and provides thoughtful insight based on community needs. Bill is actively involved with the Tioga County ASAP Coalition, the Suicide Prevention Coalition, and the Tioga County LOSS Team, helping guide prevention initiatives throughout the county. He continually supports and uplifts the work of TCPH and our community partners.
• The Public Protection Award was presented to the Tioga County Public Health Environmental Health team, who work seamlessly together to protect the public through restaurant inspections, water and soil testing, animal bite investigations, and many other essential services. Their enforcement of laws and regulations prevents environmental hazards and promotes safer, healthier communities. Their work is often behind the scenes, but their impact is felt every day.

Congratulations to the award winners! Tioga County Public Health appreciates you and your dedication to forwarding the mission of public health through prevention, promotion, and protection!

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