The Grand Traverse County Health Department (GTCHD) has been named the winner of the 2016 Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) Director’s Award for local public health.

The award is presented annually to a local health department "in recognition of excellence in public health." This year's award focused on departments that demonstrate the following:
• Contribute to a positive outcome in the health status of community residents;
• Demonstrate a spirit of collaboration, integration and sharing;
• Demonstrate evidence-based decision models that ensure effectiveness;
• Are sustainable and replicable in other communities; and
• Demonstrate a new or innovative public health initiative.

GTCHD was singled out for its leadership of the Northern Michigan Regional Public Health Emergency Preparedness (NMPHEP) team and program. Mike Lahey, the NMPHEP Regional Director, was also awarded the Public Health Preparedness Professional of the year for 2016.

“Both the Grand Traverse County Health Department and our NMPHEP partners are honored to receive this award,” GTCHD Health Officer Wendy Trute said in a statement. “A lot of work went into creating a regional program, and we are sure to have much stronger Public Health Emergency Preparedness services for all of Northern Michigan as a result.”