Annual Awards
Each year, the Iowa Primary Care Association recognizes outstanding individuals for their contributions to Iowa’s community health centers. Nominations are submitted by community health center peers and community partners. These individuals are recognized for their dedication to the Health Center Movement and for their extraordinary work on behalf of their peers, patients, and community.
This year’s award nomination process is now closed. Please join us at the conference on Thursday, October 17 as we announce the winners!
The Awards
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Dr. Bery Engebretsen Visionary Award
Established in 2024 in recognition of Dr. Bery Engebretsen's outstanding contributions to the Health Center Movement as the co-founder of the Iowa Primary Care Association and the former Chief Executive Officer and current Chief Visionary for Primary Health Care, Inc. This award will be presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to his/her organization or community(s) who exemplifies leadership excellence, passion for community health, and dedication to addressing social drivers of health.
Eligibility: An individual who is a team member or volunteer at an Iowa health center who is a passionate supporter of the health center mission, addressing social drivers or health, and championing the integrated model. Nominees demonstrate a commitment to health equity, innovation, and a dedication to providing outstanding service to health center patients.
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Outstanding Provider Award
This award recognizes a distinguished provider who exemplifies excellence in clinical practice and demonstrates a dedication to the health center mission and to the patients he/she serves.
Eligibility: An individual who is a medical, dental, or behavioral health provider at an Iowa health center. Nominees may include, but are not limited to, physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dental hygienists, registered nurses, nurse midwives, social workers, and pharmacists.
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Unsung Hero Award
This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a level of excellence in his/her work which distinguishes his/her services and contributions during the past year.
Eligibility: An individual who is a staff member or volunteer at an Iowa health center who is not typically recognized publicly for his/her contributions. Nominees may include, but are not limited to, front-line staff, outreach workers, financial assistance staff, interpreters, accounting, and human resources staff. Nominees demonstrate a commitment to the mission of the health center and a dedication to providing outstanding service to health center patients.
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Exceptional Network Support Award
This award recognizes a member of the Iowa Primary Care Association, INConcertcare, and IowaHealth+ team who demonstrates exceptional support for the Health Center Movement. As a network champion of community health centers, this individual demonstrates collaboration and passion in their work to support Iowa’s community health centers.
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Advocates of the Year Award
This award recognizes a community health center organization for its advocacy excellence, including performance on grassroots advocacy through the VoterVoice system, engagement with state and federal elected officials, community engagement, and more.
Note: This award is selected by the Iowa Primary Care Association. -
Communicators of the Year Award
This award recognizes a community health center organization that has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in their ability to convey messages with clarity, creativity, and impact through patient engagement, social media, and other forms of communication.
Note: This award is selected by the Iowa Primary Care Association.
Celebrate Community Health
This year’s winners will be announced at the Iowa Community Health Conference on Thursday, October 17 during the closing session: Community Health Wrapped - Celebrating Iowa’s Health Centers.
Previous Winners
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Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Heather Rickertsen, PharmD, Crescent Community Health Center
Outstanding Provider Award: Danielle O'Brien-Day, LMHC, NCC, Infinity Health
Unsung Hero Award: Kailee Jenness, LBSW, Promise Community Health Center
Impact Award: Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation
Communicators of the Year: All Care Health Center
Advocates of the Year: Community Health Care, Inc.
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Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Ken Jones, DDS, Dental Director, River Hills Community Health Center
Unsung Hero Award: LuAnn Duran, Financial Counselor, Crescent Community Health Center
Outstanding Provider Award: Natalie Schaller, DO, Family Practice Physician/Co-Medical Director, United Community Health Center
Community Impact Award: Nick Hooker, DDS, Primary Health Care
Impact Award: Nancy Adrianse, Integrated Health Consultant, Iowa Primary Care Association
Lifetime Achievement Award: Bery Engebretsen, MD, Chief Visionary, Primary Health Care
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Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: John Brandt, Board Member, Eastern Iowa Health Center
Unsung Hero Award: Jim Denman, Senior Grant Accountant, Primary Health Care
Outstanding Provider Award: Emily Sinnwell, DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, Proteus, Inc.
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Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Mary Rose Corrigan, Board Member, Crescent Community Health Center and Heidi Price-Eastman, Pharmacy Director, Primary Health Care, Inc.
Unsung Hero Award: Di Daniels, Board Member, United Community Health Center
Outstanding Provider Award: Sharon Duclos, MD, Medical Director, Peoples Community Health Clinic
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Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Frank LaMere, Siouxland Community Health Center
Unsung Hero Award: Maria Ramos, United Community Health Center
Outstanding Provider Award: Dr. Muhammad Pathan, Peoples Community Health Clinic
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Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Rick Johnson, River Hills Community Health Center
Unsung Hero Award: Diane Yang, United Community Health Center
Outstanding Provider Award: David Yurdin, Primary Health Care, Inc.
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Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Nancy Dykstra, Promise Community Health Center
Unsung Hero Award: Roger Lacoy, Primary Health Care, Inc.
Outstanding Provider Award: Shilo Hilger, DDS, River Hills Community Health Center
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Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Don Ortman, Promise Community Health Center
Unsung Hero Award: Bill Miller, Infinity Health
Outstanding Provider Award: Patricia Blackledge, River Hills Community Health Center
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Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Bernie Tadda, Community Health Care, Inc.
Unsung Hero Award: Diane Meland, Siouxland Community Health Center
Outstanding Provider Award: Larry Richard, MD, Infinity Health
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Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Lanett Kane, Peoples Community Health Clinic
Unsung Provider Award: Al Ausili, Peoples Community Health Clinic
Outstanding Provider Award: Dr. Thor Swanson, Siouxland Community Health Center
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Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Lorna Hines, Primary Health Care
Unsung Hero Award: Lacey Naaktgeboren, Proteus, Inc.
Outstanding Provider Award: William Souto, DDS, Crescent Community Health Center
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Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Ron Kemp, Community Health Centers of Southeastern Iowa
Unsung Hero Award: Joe Heitritter, Promise Community Health Center
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Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Jennifer Schmit, Peoples Community Health Clinic
Unsung Hero Award: Suzanne Maiers, Crescent Community Health Center